Deaf News: Interpreting union NUBSLI warns it ‘can’t continue’ without two key positions

The National Union of British Sign Language Interpreters (NUBSLI) has expressed concerns that it may not be able to continue as a branch if it cannot find a new chair and branch secretary.

The current occupants of the two voluntary positions finish their three-year term in July, and with NUBSLI being a part of the trade union Unite, the branch is required to have a chair, branch secretary, equalities officer and treasurer in order to remain operational.

Speaking to The Limping Chicken, a NUBSLI spokesperson said: “For readers of [this website] who may be concerned to hear this news, NUBSLI would like to say that we need your help. We need to make sure that as many interpreters and translators as possible join NUBSLI and that as many people as possible know about, and support our campaigns.

“Especially as we emerge from the pandemic, the world for BSL users and interpreters has changed. During the restrictions imposed due to Covid-19 many services that deaf communities access have moved online but they have not necessarily done so with the due diligence that would normally occur.”

We need a new #BranchSecretary and #Chair, otherwise we can’t continue. To stand, please email us at: communications@nubsli.com

— NUBSLI (@NUBSLI) June 11, 2021

This particular issue has been highlighted in NUBSLI’s Rights Reclaim campaign, which warns against the “normalisation” of video relay services (VRS) as lockdown restrictions ease in the UK.

The spokesperson continued: “NUBSLI have also been working hard to ensure that the standard of interpreting services is the best it can be, including ensuring fair pay and safe working conditions for interpreters who are working remotely or face-to-face. There is a great risk that without the work of our action groups and the committee, new contracts for hospitals, courts and other places won’t be scrutinised and organisations not held to account.

“If interpreters aren’t allowed access to proper safety equipment, fair pay or fair working conditions then we will see less people wanting to become interpreters in the first place and the deaf community will start to see less and less access to qualified, professional interpreters.

“Since the pandemic NUBSLI has set up various action groups on VRS/VRI interpreting, fees, Access to Work, supporting trainee interpreters, and improving equality and diversity. If we close then all the work our volunteers do to ensure deaf people get good access to qualified interpreters will stop,” they said.

The two roles must be filled by members of NUBSLI, who are qualified interpreters and translators, with those interested in supporting the union being encouraged to join as a member.

The union can also be contacted via email at communications@nubsli.com should anyone be interested in finding out more.

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is a mildly deaf freelance journalist and campaigner from Bedfordshire. He wears bilateral hearing aids and can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitterand on his website.