ASL Interpreters Union
ASL Interpreters UNION
About Us
ASL Interpreters Union is a group of ASL interpreters who are coming together to fight for justice on the job for everyone who works as an ASL interpreter for a major agency. We are organizing to build solidarity, support each other, and win justice for ourselves and the individuals we serve. ASL Interpreters Union is a project of the Office and Professional Employees International Union, with more than 90,000 members across the United States and Canada.
We are organizing to build solidarity, support each other, and win justice for ourselves and the individuals we serve.
Below: Deaf interpreter Dr. Shae O’Riordan shares the ASL Interpreters Union mission statement in American Sign Language.
Mission Statement
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.
Latest News
New: ASL Union Factsheet for Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and Deaf-Blind Communities
Why are VRS Interpreters Organizing? A Factsheet for the Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and Deaf-Blind Communities . The ASL Interpreters Union is fighting for a strong VRS program. As a union, we will seek to bargain guaranteed minimum service standards in VRS, we will seek...
OPEIU Files Unfair Labor Practice Against ZVRS/Purple For Anti-Union Layoffs of ASL Interpreters
On August 2, an unfair labor practice charge was filed against ZP Better Together alleging the company illegally closed its Minnesota call centers on February 18 following unionization efforts by interpreters there. The Office and Professional Employees International...
New Report about VRS Exposes Private Equity Dominance
Video Relay Service (VRS) provided by the FCC-administered TRS fund is a critical tool for providing functionally equivalent service in ASL for the deaf and hard of hearing community. Two private equity-owned companies dominate the VRS market: Sorenson Communications,...
We need your feedback
ASL interpreters know what our community needs; the corporate managers running these companies do not. Our opinions need to be heard. That’s why we’re asking all interpreters to take this short survey to share their thoughts.
NOTE: Survey responses are confidential. Your names will not be shared.
ASL Interpreters Union
Your Rights on The Job: