Monday, November 2, 2009

What the hell is wrong with NYC Interpreting Agencies?

Okay, Terps. Here it goes. Can someone tell me what the hell is wrong with NYC interpreting agencies? We here at Terp Union have never seen such a sad sorry collection of miscreants, morons and criminals in all our 20-odd years of terping. From agencies not paying their Terps (probably because they need to pay their criminal lawyers first) to agencies taking 30 days to pay, to that beloved Brooklyn agency that makes new rules every 15 minutes so they can get out of paying their terps, including not allowing to double bill when a team doesn't show up ... or find ways they can get paid double while denying a terp their rightful cut. If we want to be able to have long term careers as Terps we need to protect ourselves. Not just monetarily, but our health. ASL terps are the number 1 industry to report job related injuries. (CTS etc) WE NEED YOUR HELP! Let us hear your stories from the battlefield. The point of this blog is to hear from all of us, so we can develop and spread the word about proper standard treatment of ASL Terps in the NYC area. We need to be united. While we're not saying we should all be paid the same, we should be aware what are the industry standards for pay in our field. Below are some possible points we think need to be emphasized, and please make suggestions to add to this ...

STANDARD PRACTICES

1. When a freelance terp is hired for a specific job at a specific location s/he and the client is a no-show, they can not be placed on another job which they did not previously accept. (Needs wording help here.)
2. If a team terp does not show up the solo terp will receive double pay if they so choose to terp the job alone.
3. 48 hours notice of cancellation, and if less than 48 hours FULL PAYMENT FOR EVERY HOUR SCHEDULED.


and .... (Make some suggestions in the comments)

Thanks
And hope to hear from you soon.
TERP UNION
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6 comments:

  1. AnonymousNovember 2, 2009 at 6:29 PM

    Right on! SignTalk SUCKS! Those scumbags should be closed down!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Terp Sick-Of-ITNovember 5, 2009 at 8:49 AM

    We didn't say Signtalk (he he). Although we have heard a number of terps say they won't work with them any longer... for a myriad of reasons. So far the best companies we've heard about are SLR, ASLI ... others?

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousNovember 6, 2009 at 3:08 PM

    I like Empire.. it is run by a terp... RID states: rid.org/ethics/code
    We possess the profesional skills with specific knowledge and skills required for the specific assignment. that in itself precludes just being sent where an agency sends you with out your consent or acceptance.

    Standard practice is 48 hours cancelation for all of the assignment. If no travel is warrented then travel fees would be deducted.

    If your team does not show up it is at your discretion to continue alone or not. If agency doesnt not agree to pay double the time, then they havent fulfilled their end of the contract by having a team in place, therefore, you are not obligated to continue.

    If these are the practices and habits of various agencies, then I do see the need for terps as a group to make a stand on behalf of themselves. Perhaps if these agencies got the message that we as group will adhere to certain standards and that we will hold them to it as well.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousNovember 9, 2009 at 2:11 PM

    A couple of things......1) Apparently I am in the minority, but I have had few problems with the aforementioned 'sucking' agency. Those problems I have had have been mostly been of a clerical, not policy-related, nature.

    2) Yup, SLR is tops in my book. ASLI is good as well, although i rarely work for them. I do wonder about their rate structure......one recently certified terp was actually offered the same rate I was offered 4 years ago as a pre-certified (although highly experienced) terp. Am I missing something or is that a might odd?

    3) How is Accurate to work for?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Terp Sick-Of-ITNovember 12, 2009 at 9:18 AM

    Other than Accurate taking 30 days to start paying you, after that time lapse they've been quite nice. I like them. SLR certainly has the most professionalism as far as giving adequate info. Signtalk is the worst EVERYWHERE. They've misrepresented what a job was, refused to pay double when you're stuck alone, change jobs at the last minute. Most upper level certs I know refuse to work for them.

    ReplyDelete
  6. FUCKnycAgenciesNovember 24, 2009 at 2:19 PM

    Norma Rae is my favorite movie. :) union UNION union !!!!!!

    Why is it all nyc terpts don't care about each other? Stop pushing to get to the top of the totem pole so you have the best pick jobs and most pay!

    Gross look at DOE!! NYC top terpts work there and they use Sign Talk terpts for the deaf students!?! Do they have a state standard like the EIPA for educational interpreters? NO. But they sure do get nice paychecks, hours, and benefits.

    ReplyDelete

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