Full Court Press: Part-time court interpreters sue for more benefits

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http://www.bostonherald.com/news/columnists/bob_mcgovern/2016/03/full_court_press_part_time_court_interpreters_sue_for_more

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PER DIEM WORKERS SEEK PARITY: Michael O’Laughlin, a Spanish interpreter who runs the interpreter program at Boston University, says the deck is stacked against part-time, per diem court interpreters.

Full Court Press: Part-time court interpreters sue for more benefits
Bob McGovern Saturday, March 26, 2016

Dozens of part-time court interpreters are prepared to go to war with the Bay State’s trial court system, arguing that they have been treated like second-class citizens and are being forced to find other work in order to pay the bills.

“They are taking apart what we have taken so long to create,” said Michael O’Laughlin, a Spanish interpreter who runs the interpreter program at Boston University. “A great deal is at stake. They are doing everything they can do to get rid of us. It’s terrible.”

A group of part-time, or per diem, interpreters have filed a class action lawsuit against Lewis “Harry” Spence, administrator of the trial court, and other higher-ups. They argue that they are not being paid the same as the full-time staff interpreters employed by the Office of Court Interpreter Services and aren’t getting benefits that they deserve. A full-time interpreter earns an average of $83,300 a year.

For example, the suit alleges that per diem interpreters are being paid hourly instead of for the required half-day and full-day rates. They are also not being paid in situations where they arrive for court and the party who needs an interpreter doesn’t show up, according to the suit.