ASL Interpreters Union

“I am thrilled to join the ASL interpreters Union as a proud member of the Deaf community and a passionate Deaf interpreter! We stand united to increase Deaf interpreter jobs by pressuring companies to require Deaf interpreters in call centers and to provide more Deaf interpreters within the community. We are committed to defending our rights as interpreters and preventing burnout, ensuring a fair and humane working environment. Let’s elevate the experience and communication access within the Deaf community together!” Dr. Shae O’Riordan

“We need to look out for each other because the corporations never will.” Danette Levy

“We are stronger together as a community. We work with the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind as a community, but we have to support each other as well. You cannot pour from an empty cup, and sadly too many interpreters feel drained by conditions in the field. This gives us a chance to show our strength so we can continue to work with the community we love.” Elizabeth Anthony

Join us.

Today, three of our star interpreters joined the California Teachers' Retirement (CalSTRS) Board meeting to discuss the ASL Interpreters Union. Megan McGeary, Shae O'Riordan, and Micah Draeger called on CalSTRS to help us win a Card Check Neutrality Agreement with Sorenson and ZP management. As funders of the private equity firms that own these major VRS companies, pension funds like CalSTRS can help us get that neutrality agreement. It's on us to share our stories and win their support.

This week Sorenson also sent communication to interpreters encouraging them to take on more hours while offering a few more dollars an hour and bragging that the opportunities are a “harvest of deals.” In response to this campaign, we’ve created a similar graphic instead listing the “harvest of problems” Sorenson interpreters face. With a union we can eliminate these problems and create lasting change in the industry! JOIN US and be a part of the change!

Why do Erin Ireland and Daryl Everett support the ASL Interpreters Union?

Our mission is to build an inclusive and strong union, by and for interpreters, that supports us in our work and improves the sustainability of our workplaces. This effort aims to bring humanity back into the essential services we provide and increase the longevity of careers in VRS, leading to further skill development and the retention of seasoned interpreters. Upon winning our union and beginning contract negotiations, we commit to bargaining for the common good: securing a collective bargaining agreement that benefits us as interpreters and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community that we serve. We commit to having representation from Deaf users working closely with our bargaining team and will seek to bargain requirements in our contract mandating how companies can improve service quality.

Why do Joe Klug and Kevin Jones-Eastland support the ASL Interpreters Union?