Union work has been one of the few things that have been giving meaning to my life in the past couple of years, but it hasn't all been bread, roses and joyful shoulder-to-shoulder ( Read more... )

I have just refused to sign a contract with an interpreting agency that gives its interpreters and translators lots of work, but pays them poorly and emphasises that interpreters are 'independent contractors' and as such they are not entitled to any leave or superannuation provisions ( Read more... )

Tale 1. Spent half a day in court interpreting for an elderly man convicted of breaking an intervention order and hitting and threatening his wife. He got off on a good behaviour bond becaus of his age. I kept cool throughout (not much choice, really) but raged inwardly. Also feared for his wife, since they still share a house. But his lawyer, the ( Read more... )