What is Interpreters United?

Interpreters United is a labor union for freelance spoken language interpreters rendering services paid by WA State govenrment agencies. 
 

A labor union comes into existance when a group of workers performing similar work under the same employer (bargaining unit) come together (organize) to negotiate a group contract (collective bargaining agreement). Once both parties (unionized workers and their employer) agree to the contract terms, then these workers have paid union staff whose job is to defend the adherence of the employer to the union contract. Workers covered by the union contract pay monthly membership dues primarily to support the defense of their contract and fund future negotiations. Dues are sent to the local union these newly unionized workers are assigned to. 

Interpreters United belongs to the Washington Federation of State Employees (AFSCME Council 28). The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) represents more than 1 million public service workers. AFSCME is affiliated to the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). Interpreters currently covered under the union contract belong to AFSCME Local 1671.

Interpreters United / AFSCME 28 (WFSE) is the sole legal representative of spoken language interpreters who render services for HCA-Medicaid enrollees, DSHS and DCYF clients since 2010 (bargaining unit 1), injured workers and crime victims who have claims with L&I since 2023 (bargaining unit 2) and through DES contracts since 2025 (bargaining unit 3) in accordance with RCW 41.56.030(10) and RCW 41.56.157. On November 20, 2025, the Public Employment Relations Commission approved the merger of the three bargaining units into a single one.

• Services rendered to HCA-Medicaid enrollees covered by our union contract are currently coordinated by the state's vendor Universal Language Services. 
• Services rendered to DSHS and DCYF clients covered by our union contract are currently coordinated by two state vendors: Universal Language Services and FourCorners. 
• Services rendered for L&I claims are currently coordinated by the state's vendor SOSi through its Wordbridge platform. The union contract for this bargaining unit went into effect on July 1, 2025.
• Services rendered to WA State agencies through DES contracts wre currently coordinated by numerous language companies. Negotiations for a union contract are underway.

Interpreters United promotes lean government principles by supportinga ONE-STOP SHOPPING SOLUTION THROUGH ONLINE SCHEDULING SOFTWARE to request and pay interpreters for their services.

Our members are a group of dedicated interpreters who work for the greater good. Every odd year, our membership elects its interpreter leaders who, for a 2-year term, volunteer their time and share their knowledge freely with their colleagues.

What were conditions like for most interpreters in 2009?  

• Interpreters paid only $21/hr. - or less!
• Intermediaries (Language Companies & Brokers) kept an average of 38% of interpreters' pay!
• Required 15 minute back up logs if you went over the scheduled time
• No pay for late cancellations and no shows
• No pay for parking, ferries or tolls
• Some interpreters did get full mileage reimbursement, but it depended on the language company

How did freelance interpreters get a union?

• In winter of 2010, AFSCME Council 28 took us under their wing and helped us pass a historic bill ESSB 6726 granting union rights to independent contractor interpreters for the first time in our nation.
• During the summer, interpreters held a forum with state officials from DSHS and the Governor's Office of Financial Management (OFM) where over 200 interpreters from around the state gave testimony about the current problems and offered solutions for future improvements to the language access program.
• In the fall, interpreters held an election voting 95% UNION YES!

Watch this powerful video about why interpreters organized!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B279ONd_Khw

By working together, we improve the interpreting profession - for ourselves, providers, and the people we serve!