Executive Board Elections 2019 - Candidates Statements

Positions Elected by Acclamation:

President
Michael Ferreira

It is my honor to welcome and invite all my colleagues in interpreting units throughout California to the CFI Local 39000 reboot for 2019. As incoming president, I see three realities facing us all: 

1. We are again to be given the leadership of the only Local in the nation comprised solely of court interpreters. We are the example for all other court interpreters throughout CWA-TNG, and the nation.
2. Court interpreting presently faces an onslaught of challenges – if not existential threats such as Video Remote Interpreting – all of which impact our continued ability to grow and perfect the profession as cornerstone for meaningful language access and due process. If we fail here, the employee court interpreter will fade and divide into irrelevant numbers, with highly diminished opportunities to build a career path with livable income.
3. This time around, success will not be depend on what I do, what the Board does, or what union lawyers can do, but in what we all docollectively toward ensuring that the Local vigorously represents all unit members in bargaining, disciplinary actions, professional best practices, legislative initiatives, as well as be our voice at the Judicial Council. 

Unionism is about the many, not the few. Unity of purpose and then acting in unison is what really brings the power to effect change, as well as maintain and improve our membership’s standard of living, working conditions, workplace fairness, etc. This unity in purpose and action is what creates the power to overcome the difficulties ahead.

My time on the Board will be focused on the following tasks:

• Build a strong and effective system of stewards throughout the state; try to come as close as possible to the CWA guideline of one steward to every 15 members, making sure there is coverage at sites having a higher number of unit members, or with high incidence of abuse. Make sure that there is consistent training (minimum 2 x year) and mentoring available in each region from those with more experience. Create an operative system to nominate, vet, and approve stewards.

• Create meaningful internal organizing, mobilization, and outreach through more effective, consistent communication with the membership via regular informative emails, frequent webpage updates, and frequent localized-membership meetings. Increase response and decrease costs utilizing distance conferencing technologies to connect the far-flung leadership throughout the state, and facilitate union activity participation from distant counties with smaller number of employees. Promote rank & file participation through quickly staffing standing and ad-hoc committees. Implement regularly convening Labor-Management Committees in each bargaining unit to address conflicts and come to solutions on issues that impact our unit members.

• Continuing with our lobbyist, Ignacio Hernandez, build upon our foundation of legislative initiatives and advocating for interpreter and language access issues. During this presidency, our three main foci are: passing legislation to severely control VRI; protecting and expanding the interpreter budget; and defending interpreter employee rights in the public sector/courts. A long-term goal is single-statewide contract bargaining; once thought to be very far down the road, it is becoming more possible as Judicial Council attitudes have changed toward the regional bargaining system, and its cost in resources and time to bargain four contracts.

I’m looking forward to the next few years … I’m looking forward to CFI Local 39000 reboot … I’m looking forward, thinking about those California court interpreter employees coming after us. I want them to have a meaningful career, livable income, and security into their futures.

Region 1 Representative
Hernan Vargas

I am very pleased to announce my candidacy for Region One Representative. My 30 years of experience as an interpreter and the work I have done for CFI since its inception have given me a clear view of the priorities facing us today. Among them: 

I will work to accomplish these things and to be responsive to the concerns of our membership.

 Thank you for allowing me to be of service.

Region 2 Representative
María José Álvarez Caceros

Hello,

I am honored and thankful to be nominated by my colleagues for the Region 2 Representative. As members of the Local 39000, we are transitioning into our autonomous governance. The time has come to realign ourselves with open communication and transparency. This will not be an easy task or free from opposition. However, we must stand together to usher this new era.

 I find this quite exciting because we are in the advent of change and we must be the force that guides it. This will require us to keep an open mind about our challenges as well as to examine potential solutions through new perspectives. For instance Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) is becoming a reality with each passing day. Thus, we must set the guidelines for this new technology. Will our additional duties also carry additional pay? I certainly hope so, and will strongly advocate for it. How will VRI be most beneficial for all counties regardless of their size.  I am willing to invest myself to improve our union and industry by serving as the Region 2 Representative. Will you join me?

Kindly submitted,

                               María José Álvarez Caceros

Freelance Unit Representative
Angie Birchfield

My name is Angie Birchfield and I am a California Court Certified Spanish interpreter running for the freelance position of CFI. 

I work an independent contractor in both the public sector and private sector. In 2013 I became the unit chair for TTIG- The Translators and Interpreters Guild which later became IGA- the Interpreters Guild of America. That very same year we collaborated with CFI to help author AB2370 (stating your qualifications on the record) which passed and was implemented into the government code. In 2015 I was appointed to the Language Access Implementation Task Force representing independent contractor interpreters. I am a firm advocate for fairness of independent contractors and will continue to fight on your behalf. Through IGA we are assisting the state insurance commission in the investigation of fraudulent activities committed by some Language Service Providers (LSPs) and their lack of compliance with the certification standards and protocols, as well as, LSPs lack of compliance of fees and erosion working conditions for independent contractors in the private sector. These are standards that we have worked so hard to achieve and we will continue to do all to protect. 

These are trying times for all interpreters both in and out of courts and it's time to unite! We need to stop the powers that continue to pin court employees and contractors against each other. Otherwise, our profession as we know it will seize to be what we aspire for it to be. Vote for me is a vote for uniting employees and independent contractors. Vote for Angie Birchfield. 

Candidates for contested positions:

Vice President
Janet Hudec

Strong work ethic, dedication, commitment, problem solving, team player, knowledge, and leadership is what you will be getting from me. Hello, I am Janet Hudec and I am running for Vice President. 

For the last 7 years I have worked tirelessly making sure our profession is moving forward. I am an active and loud advocate for our profession and for the limited English persons (LEP) we serve. Over the past 6 years I have dedicated myself to representing all interpreters through my various appointed positions with the Judicial Council of California. I’ve been a voting member of the Judicial Council Court Interpreter Advisory Panel (2012-2018) while simultaneously serving as a member of the Joint Working Group for California’s Language Access Plan and was a collaborator in creating the Language Access Plan (2013-2015). I’ve served in the Implementation Task Force of the Language Access Plan (2015-2019), and I am currently serving on the Judicial Council Advisory Committee on Providing Access and Fairness (2019- present). 

My accomplishments, in collaboration with other language access advocates, include and is not limited to: identifying language access problems and creating solutions for the California Courts through the 75 recommendations of the Language Access Plan; the expansion of language access to civil; mandatory requirements for courts to tag, track, and collect data; mandatory requirement for language access education and training for all (judges, attorneys, clerks, etc.); amendment to California Government Code §68092.1 declaring that it’s imperative for courts provide interpreters to all; Rule of Court 2.850; Rule of Court 2.895; INT-300; amended INT100-120 forms; amended Rule of Court 2.893 making it mandatory for non-certified and non-registered interpreters to take an orientation and ethics course, provide proof of actively pursuing to become certified or registered through education and taking the exams, and setting limits to provisional qualifications. 

For years I have been working on current issues such as VRI, wage disparity, misuse of the cross-assignments, regional bargaining and the Interpreter Act, courts relentless efforts to under-mind employment, lack of reciprocity of wage steps throughout the state, and more. These are the issues that I am committing to continue fighting. 

Enough is enough! The courts have taken advantage of our situation. I have the passion, drive, knowledge, and dedication to improve our employment conditions. My rapport with Judicial Council and experience is what makes me the best candidate. Vote for Janet Hudec for Vice President.

Thank you.

Dear colleagues,

Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Roberto Villalta and I am running to be your local 39000 Vice President. 

I have been an interpreter for over 20 years, I started doing telephonic interpreting then moved to the free-lance world of Court Interpreters and for the last four years I have been providing my services to the Los Angeles Superior Court. I want to add that I am a very active person (enjoy cycling, playing soccer, running) and I am outgoing and talkative person. I take very good care of my career as well as my colleagues and I have always adhered to the professional code of ethics in everything I do. 

This union needs people who are willing to step up to the plate and work with all their strength to better the conditions that our members face on a daily basis, this union needs someone to find solutions to their problems. I am that person!

Vote for me in this coming elections!!

Yours,

Roberto Villalta

Secretary-Treasurer
Carmen Ramos

I accepted the nomination to run for Secretary-Treasurer for our Local because I want to work towards achieving better wages and working conditions.  I believe a united, focused, and informed CFI is pivotal to reaching these goals. As a steward in Santa Clara County, and in order to achieve the Federal rate,  interpreter employees and contractors worked to document incidents and inform the Bench, the Bar and the Media regarding the serious impact that unfair wages was having on interpreter availability in our county.  I was also able to implement Team Interpreting, something Santa Clara Administration had resisted for many years. Through consistent outreach to our members, I made administration aware of the unacceptable practices of an Interpreter Manager whose actions were detrimental to working conditions and wages in Region 2. During my employment in Santa Clara and now in San Joaquin, I have forged strong alliances with our local sister Unions in the Courts. Our SEIU brothers and sisters in San Joaquin joined us in big numbers to picket at the Stockton Courthouse in support of our last round of Bargaining. The Local San Joaquin SEIU Representative picketed with us and has stood with us in solidarity during the difficult times we have faced as a Union. I am a fearless fighter, and very focused in my intent and goals.  I believe the only way we can build a strong Local is through transparency, accountability, membership meetings and participation. I intend to bring this philosophy to my work in that capacity if I am elected to serve you, and to safe keep our dues and  compliance with the CWA constitution.  

Carmen M. Ramos,
San Joaquin County, R3

Secretary-Treasurer
Victoria Rea

First off,   I’m truly grateful to have been nominated as Secretary Treasurer for CFI local 39000. My name is Victoria Rea, I have been a Court Interpreter for 12 years working in the private sector, as an F status Interpreter until I became a full time A status for LASC at Children’s Court in 2014. 

I’m eagerly entering this chapter in my professional  life for the benefit of our profession and our colleagues. I have seen first hand how hard we’ve worked as a group to accomplish the many things we have, however, to continue further success we need, without a doubt,  UNITY! What fortifies us as a professional GROUP is the way we INDIVIDUALLY show our support to our mission: To be respected and compensated the way we should. 

Your vote counts! Vote for your livelihood, vote for your dear colleague, vote. Everyone’s voice matters every vote is a firm voice. We need continued solidarity, transparency and unity! Let’s help rebuild  CFI leadership together. 

In unity,

Victoria Rea

Region 4 Representative
Tania King

As Region 4 delegate, I pledge to serve as a bridge of understanding, as well as a channel of communication for all interpreters and translators of Region 4, making sure that all voices are heard and bringing those voices to the table. 

I will fight for more inclusion, more dialogue, and more transparency.

I will address the challenges of every corner of Region 4 with leadership and resolution, with the interpreters and for the interpreters, towards the future.

Thank you

        Tania King

Executive Board Elections 2019

Positions Elected by Acclamation:

Michael Ferreira - President

Hernan Vargas   - Region 1 Representative

Maria J. Alvarez Caceros - Region 2 Representative

Angie Birchfield - Freelance

Candidates for contested positions:

Janet Hudec     - Vice President

Roberto Villalta  - Vice President

Carmen Ramos  - Secretary-Treasurer

Victoria Rea - Secretary-Treasurer

Tania King           - Region 4 Representative

Silvia San Martin - Region 4 Representative

Please call your legislator and help defeat AB 1366!

Our Right To Vote

CFI members:

At the end of October 2018 and after the Local board was removed, I was asked to take over the Local to address administration issues. As the Temporary Administrator, I was made aware of the issues which had forced the Local into receivership. Those issues included but were not limited to the misappropriation of Local Funds, as well as attempts to undermine the union structure. Per the CWA constitution and the Department of Labor guidelines, certain Eboard members were charged with violations, then found guilty in court hearings. Since then, we have attempted to address the many issues and problems faced on a daily basis by our members. 

Unfortunately, the guilty ex-board members have continued to try and wreak havoc on the Local and the membership at large. They have continued to disseminate false informational well as outright lies not just about the Local but about what it was that they attempted to do with the Local and the union member’s monies. 

In Unity,

Ed Venegas

Legislative Conference: CFI Attendees Participate in Labor Federation Efforts

Sacramento_ CFI members recently participated in the California Labor Federation’s 2019 Joint Legislative Conference, a gathering in which unions and activists from all over the state join efforts to lobby for bills in favor of labor and to share ideas for future projects.

Silvia San Martin and Jackie Ruiz from Region 4 and Tyler Nguyen and Janet Hudec from Region 3 attended the Building the Future conference held March 31through April 3 in Sacramento on behalf of our local.  

The conference emphasized the importance for all union members to get involved in the democratic process. Locals must have active Legislative and Political Action Committees to work on elections, educate members on the issues, and lobby for our interests. We see how unions can be weakened and how a single action of Congress or state legislature can eliminate advances.

Currently, there are several bills CWA wants lawmakers to pass:

• AB 1677 Call Centers, sponsored by Assembly member Shirley Weber. This bill would prioritize state grants and subsidies to corporations that retain call center jobs in California. AB 1677 would require that employers seeking to relocate call center jobs to another country give the Labor Commissioner 120 days’ notice; would prohibit employers appearing on the Commissioner’s compiled list of call center job exporters from receiving any state grants, guaranteed loans, or tax benefits for five years. AB 1677 is instrumental in our fight against Video Remote Interpreting (VRI). This bill will incentivize VRI call centers to stay in the state of California, hire Californians, and contribute to California’s economic growth. With a heathier economy, state funded budgets (like the Interpreter fund) have the opportunity to increase. 
• AB 1066 Unemployment Insurance: Extended Duration Benefits, sponsored by Assembly member Lorena Gonzalez. This bill would provide unemployment benefits for workers during a strike. Ineligibility for unemployment benefits during a labor dispute creates an incentive for an employer to delay and be unreasonable during negotiations. Employers can try to exacerbate the financial hardship on workers as a strategy to secure a more favorable outcome during labor negotiations. This type of hardship should not exist for workers who are merely exercising their rights. Allowing workers to be eligible for unemployment insurance, after a period of two weeks, would create a more level bargaining field between employers and employees.
• AB 5 Defend Dynamex and Rebuild the Middle Class, is a collaborative effort by several labor unions sponsored by Assembly member Lorena Gonzalez. On April 30, 2018, the California Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling in Dynamex Operations West v. Superior Court that made it harder for companies to misclassify workers as independent contractors. AB 5 will codify this decision and clarify where it applies. It will also exempt from the decision specified professionals where such protection is not warranted. The bill will clarify what employment relationships are not covered by the decision, providing certainty to industries that are unsure of the case’s implications. 

Currently, CFI Local 39000 is working on creating several future bills that will benefit our profession. More information will be provided in the near future. Stay tuned!

We are only strong when we join forces, stand together, and fight together. 

In Solidarity,

Janet Hudec