The DANGER of VRI charging $20/30 minutes

We just heard that ONE VRI is charging by 30 minute increments. i.e. $20/ 30 minutes of interpreting. That is a 50-60& DISCOUNT from normal rates. This is a very dangerous precedent. I don't know about you, but we can't survive on 20 bucks an hour. "But they are not paying 20 dollars an hour, it's just for 30 minutes!" But, in fact, they are only paying 20 dollars. They are saying that you need to commit to an appointed time to terp for possibly only 30 minutes of pay. NO GUARANTEE of a 1 or 2 hour minimum. VRI says that businesses are refusing to commit to the full hour of pay, so they are trying the 30 minute approach. So if a business model like this takes off, terps that work in metropolitan area will be in danger of losing their jobs. While a Terp in West Virginia who works for 18-25 an hour might find $20 for a job not so bad, we DC/NYC/LA/SF terps will end up homeless. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. We strongly suggest you do not ACCEPT 30 MINUTE MINIMUMS. Let us know your thoughts.