promises, promises
...you got 20 minutes

I don't know whos bright idea this was in your HR Dept. for the Concord center layoff notice, but like it or not Sorenson, these words will ring FOREVER.

"We are closing the center as of today. You have 20 minutes to gather your things. We have boxes. That's it. You're done. Goodbye,"

One may ask,"Were lay-off notices as 'shell-shocked' as this ? Was this an isolated act of 'bullying' the little kid on the playground by pushing and shoving with threats to take their lunch money ? "

That's unknown, but what is clear to the whole interpreting profession is the forcefullness of this particular NH call center message that was delivered and quite possibly indicative of a concerted effort of an across the board expectation on a game plan for management of "this is how we're gonna do this" for ALL laid off Sorenson employees...anytime, anywhere !

We may never know how these en masse pink slips were handed out. After seeing and hearing news of the Concord call center,VIs are scared to death of losing their job and career to speak-up and out.

To be sure, "bullying" does seem to be a characteristic Sorenson relies on from time to time. (See below for FCC version)

However, as was mentioned in the article and worthwhile repeating," Labor Commissioner George Copadis said the state didn't receive notification of a mass layoff from the company. Sixty days' notice is required for companies with 75 or more full-time employees in New Hampshire to shut down a facility or lay off more than a third of the company's workforce."

What becomes of Sorensons absolute ignorance and disregard to NH LAWS remains to be seen.

More "bullying".

This disrespectful (mildly said) treatment of a highly skilled labor force who once were valued treasure is strikingly similiar of how a spouse would react to catching their cheating mate in "the act" with someone else and then giving the ultimatum of "pack your bags-you got 5 minutes" before they're kicked out the door !

It is important to note here, ASL interpreters are not accustomed to "lay-offs" or being "out of work"and experiencing such insulting behavior with such display of TOTAL DISRESPECT for their profession or even a human being.

Rather, the interpreting profession historically has only experienced SHORTAGES with HIGH DEMANDS placed for their service. If anything, the experienced professional interpreter is the person "calling the shots" with expectations of setting the terms for their work. The RID calls for it in their "Code of Professional Conduct" In this case, I would direct your attention to the 4th tenet regarding RESPECT For Consumers.4.2 Approach consumers with a professional demeanor at all times.
Professionalism through and through. So I thought.

Now Sorenson will "suffer IRREPARABLE harm" on reference of professionalism the RID has not only painstakingly built historically but has also espoused as proper and a "rule to follow".Way to go Sorenson.

You can also kiss those "high demand" expectations of yesterday for interpreters GOOD-BYE thanks to the Sorenson NH call center and nationwide layoff slam. No "flexible" scheduling here ! Better yet "hit the road and don't come back. We don't need ya ! "
A direct hit aimed at the "what you gonna do?" interpreting profession. Got it ? Get it.

Now its "go stand in the unemployment line" and hope for continued stimulus funds to survive for those without another VRS provider to go to.Sorenson drove community terp agencies out of business while opening call centers in key cities nationwide the last few years sucking up ALL the qualified terps leaving the Deaf community bone dry with no choice for meetng their community/educational needs.

Concord, NH is a PRIME EXAMPLE of where a call center is located can DEVASTATE the Deaf community for available interpreters.

Now then, where do you go for help? ANYTHING the RID can do? .
Uh-uh for you VIs....time to WAKE-UP after this face slap, kick in the groin, punch in the stomach, stab-in-the-back, run you over, stick-it-where-the sun don't shine treatment by Sorenson !

No one thought this "got a good secure job" would end with walking papers and LITERALLY thrown out the door in record time with no where to go or a plan "B" to implement.

I don't anticipate the RID to have any "back-up plan" for affected VIs to be rescued from.
How much of a return can VIs expect from their "investment" after paying hundreds (more like thousands) of dollars for annual membership fees, CEU maintainance and sought after "certification" credentials only to be tossed then fried like dead fish from Sorenson as illustrated in NH ?

Well guess what ? Until the RID acknowledges and addresses being blind-sided by Sorenson lay-offs/terminations with eyes on VIs treatment during and after this traumatic sequence of events, the RID will continue to encounter negative and damaging "professional conduct" and employment issues from ANY VRS provider. Albeit, Sorenson is leading the way !

RIDs Government Affairs Program (GAP) is only one-sided and won't get it. Whats needed is an employer watchdog committee (do they dare?) to protect these HIGHLY SKILLED and VULNERABLE VIs. Might I add EXPLOITED and DEFENSELESS
If nothing is done for VIs like those in NH, membership will decline MORE.
I promise you...

you made your bed, now sleep in it...
heavily debt-laden financial structure- FCC

Why such a hostile display of "affection" towards the previously treasured VIs by Sorenson ?

After the long awaited FCC order on the much anticipated interim tier rates for '10-'11
for reimbursement from NECA, tier 3 rates (Sorenson tier) reflected a drop in pay from $6.24 to $5.06
This outraged Sorenson who then filed a "motion for stay"making some noise about how Sorenson "will suffer irreparable harm absent a stay".

The FCC not only responded to the allegations of "irreparable harm" presented in Sorensons stay, but chided in numerous comments Sorenson is not used to or DOESN'T LIKE seeing coming straight from the "horses mouth". Such as,

* consumers are being significantly overcharged to finance the TRS Fund and TRS providers are being significantly overcompensated.

* NECA determined that it costs Tier I providers $5.78 per minute to provide VRS, but costs Tier III providers only $3.90 per minute.

* In addition, the tiered structure has not been challenged by any provider other than Sorenson.

*Moreover, Sorenson does not show that telecommunications ratepayers, who fund VRS service, should bear the costs of Sorenson’s interest payments, which as explained below result from its voluntarily chosen and heavily debt-laden financial structure.

* Sorenson complains ...

* including the proverbial "nail in the coffin" to Sorenson_

"Finally, we have a serious concern that Sorenson’s alleged financial difficulties may be of its own making.
Sorenson claims that it will suffer below what is needed to meet its financial obligations. However, publicly available financial information reveals that earlier this year it paid a voluntary $179 million dividend to a private equity fund with an ownership interest in Sorenson. It paid out that money – and acquired substantial new debt – in the face of both the Commission’s 2009 NPRM seeking comment on whether VRS rates should be lowered and the knowledge that the 2007 rates would be expiring and likely would be reduced within a few months. Moreover, Sorenson pays interest on the large amount of debt it has taken on – more than $1 billion and perhaps as much as $1.5 billion. Some of that debt apparently was taken on in order to fund the recent dividend.Sorenson has not shown that its claimed costs, which include interest and dividend payments, are the result of sound business decisions, or that it would be unable to renegotiate its financial commitments or reduce its costs in ways that do not affect its service. We discern no legal or policy basis for setting rates at a level that is designed to ensure that Sorenson can profitably maintain its particular financial structure."

Whew, let me take a breath after that....

On top of the FCC stay denial to Sorenson, the FCC issued a "Notice of Inquiry" (NOI)
in which "the Commission pledged to take a "fresh look" at VRS compensation and rules. A new look is necessary, the Commission explained, because over the past few years, the per-minute compensation rates have significantly exceeded the estimated average per-minute costs of providing VRS."

It turns out Sorenson not only got burnt in their FCC request to keep rates near their '07-'10 minute rates for ANOTHER 5 YEARS that included their FCC comment blitz of over 10,000 (and counting) Deaf "loyal" consumers, now comes the NOI that "promises" to change the VRS industry from TOP TO BOTTOM, SIDEWAYS, FORWARDS-BACKWARDS, UP & DOWN, LEFT-RIGHT, you get the picture...
so LASHING OUT at VIs is one form of retaliation that Sorenson can FEEL GOOD about and think they can get away with.
Sad but true.

Sorensons money train has been derailed. ITS OVER.

Yet Sorenson still doesn't get it. So back to the tactic of "bullying"...
On August 24, Sorenson gathered their "big wigs"and tried to muscle in some of their previously defeated approaches for change at the FCC. (read above...again)

Sorenson, I'm giving you to the count of 3 to straighten up and STOP ACTING like this in PUBLIC.
You're embarrassing EVERYONE.

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