Calling all CFI Local 39000 members interested in protecting the MOU and supporting your colleagues in the workplace! …
On Saturday, March 21st, 2020 CFI Local 39000 will be hosting a training session for all members wishing to become stewards and/or update and refine their skills. Although the training is geared to newcomers, any and all present stewards are invited as well! Even if you are unsure of making a commitment to become a steward, you are invited to find out what the “front line” of the labor movement looks like.
The training is mandatory for anyone who wishes to be added to the steward lists for their Region/County. The presenters will be President Mike Ferreira, and CWA steward trainer Louis Rocha from District 9 Sacramento. Some of the topics to be covered are:
- Union structure, guiding documents, and protocols. How our Local fits into the larger CWA union and the labor/union/social justice movement.
- Role, Rights, and Responsibilities of a union steward.
- How to memorialize, share communications, and collaborate on representation issues.
- Grievances and their processing; arbitrations and their preparations; unfair labor practice filings (Public Employee Relations Board) … starting with your Memorandum of Understanding.
- Open discussion about any issue of interest or concern..
The training will take place at:
CWA Local 9511
1525 Simpson Way
Escondido, CA 92029
The training hours are 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. A modest lunch is included. We ask that interested members respond to this email no later than the close of business on Tuesday, March 17th, 2020. Please be on time, and we are encouraging folks to carpool; if you wish to carpool, or be a driver for a carpool, please specify such in your email to [email protected] .
A vigorous and well-trained steward group is the most important element in enforcing the contract, vigilance for member abuse, and creating a communication and rallying point for interpreter employees throughout California. This Board has made a commitment to bring as much training, expansion, and mentoring to the steward pool as is possible. We have the full support in trainers and material from our parent union, CWA.
We look forward to seeing as many as can make it to this Region 4 Southern California training session.
Best regards, in solidarity,
Michael Ferreira
CFI President |
Information about JC's New And Improved Way to Decertify Interpreters
February 10, 2020
Dear Fellow Colleagues,
The beginning of 2020 has brought the start of a new regulation for certified and registered interpreters in California. The California Court Interpreter Credential Review Procedures is the procedure that reinforces the professional standards for certified and registered court interpreters. This regulation establishes for Judicial Council to review allegations of professional misconduct or malfeasance filed against certified and registered court interpreters, defines the due process protections of procedures governing the credential review, ensures that certified and registered court interpreters meet and maintain minimum professional practice standards, and safeguards the quality and integrity of credentialed court interpreters.
The Judicial Council Court Interpreting Program (CIP) will be the entity that will be charged with credential reviews and may impose sanctions or up to revocation of interpreter’s credential. Grounds for sanctions may include:
- Violation of Rule of Court 2.890;
- Gross incompetence[1];
- Deliberate misrepresentation of a certified court or registered interpreter credential, including failure to notify relevant parties of a suspension or revocation of a court interpreter credential;
- Knowing and reckless disclosure of confidential or privileged information obtained while serving in an official capacity;
- Fraud, dishonesty, or corruption related to the functions and duties of a court interpreter;
- Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor;
- Violation of California or Federal law, including discrimination and harassment laws;
- False or deceptive advertising after receipt of notification to discontinue; and
- Violations of duties imposed by these procedures.
Any individual, whether court user, judicial officer, attorneys, court staff, colleague interpreters, among others, can file a complaint against an interpreter. The Credential Review Procedures applies to ALL interpreters regardless of employment status.
If any employee is faced with a credential review complaint, please notify CFI Local 39000 as soon as possible. Your Union is committed to providing the best representation possible for its members.
For more information regarding the California Court Interpreter Credential Review Procedures, please click on the link.
In Solidarity,
CFI Executive Board
[1] At this moment, it is unclear how this will be determined; there are no specifics as to whether there would be convened a panel of experts in the language, or certified interpreter colleagues, or any body whatsoever to determine whether there was “gross incompetence” in the interpretation, other than the word of the complainant. The criteria for “gross incompetence” have not been outlined, so far. The Local has filed a PERB charge against Orange County for discipline being imposed on an employee interpreter for a complaint of “incompetent interpreting” filed by a bilingual attorney. The Union is fighting the issue specifically because of the process, and the fact that there are no evaluation criteria on the performance review for this.
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News from Region 4:
- Facing Arbitration Over Unit Work Violation, San Diego Superior Court Offers Settlement.
- R4 initiated monthly zoom calls with all stewards. Contact yours for updates, questions and work related concerns.
- Maria Benitez, long time interpreter and R4 steward retires in March. Thank you Maria for your dedication and your many contributions to the Union.
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A message from your Secretary-Treasurer
Dear members,
Receivership ended in December 2019, and Ed Venegas' last day was on December 20th, 2019. I had started to work on getting control of the Finances of the Local, and to that end, I had our accountant review our budget. As many of you know, we have lost members to Janus, and we have hired a top notch Bargaining Attorney to assist us. For that reason, it was not possible to continue to pay for a Representative for Region 2 and 3. As I reviewed the finances, I also realized that in the entire history of this Local, there has never been a Strike Fund to assist members if we had to resort to work actions.There are numerous violations of the Interpreter Act and our MOU in Region 3, and many grievances and ULPs have had to be filed, which has increased the cost of our legal fees. This is something that needs to be in place, and a strike fund will be in place starting this year. We will consider the possibility of hiring another Rep for these Regions in the future if our financial situation permits it. Please reach out to our Local's e mail with any concerns. You may also use the Representative's cel phone to reach out to us, as it's still the same number. Your E-Board has been working diligently in coordinating representation efforts with stewards in all Regions. Please contact your local stewards with any issues, as they are there to represent you and assist you. There is an updated list on our website with contact information for our Stewards for all Regions.
In solidarity,
Carmen Ramos
Secretary-Treasure, CFI Local 39000
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