CONTRACTORS

Freelance Chair petitions for increase in court contract interpreter per diem

SAN FRANCISCO (April 18, 2016) _  Freelance Unit Chair Joel Rubert presented the Judicial Council nearly 200 petitions from contract and employee interpreters in support of raising the per diem rate paid to court interpreters.

During the Council's meeting Friday, Rubert asked for revision of the payment policies to increase the $282.23 paid to contract interpreters for a full day of work. 

"This factor has caused an exodus of qualified interpreters to the private and federal sectors, has diminished the court's ability to attached and retain skilled contract interpreters, and created unnecessary shortages of providers," Rubert said. "I believe these practices have probably dissuaded many contractors from becoming employees..."

Read the letter to the Chief Justice included with the petitions.