First Day of Bargaining: Showing Up, Together
January 30, 2026 marked the first day of bargaining, an important milestone shaped by months of organizing, preparation, and collective resolve. Our bargaining committee arrived ready to begin this process—and staff interpreters in San Francisco showed up in orange in visible support of the committee, a powerful reminder that bargaining is never just about who sits at the table. It’s about the people they represent.
Orange, for us, represents visibility, dignity, and solidarity. Alongside it, we carried poppies, the signature symbol of our campaign. Poppies are known for their resilience: they grow through difficult terrain, persist in harsh conditions, and return year after year. They reflect the lived experience of court interpreters—professionals who continue to show up for the justice system while advocating to be seen, valued, and treated fairly.
This initial bargaining session was a meet-and-greet and an opportunity to establish a shared framework for the negotiations ahead. We have seven bargaining dates scheduled through April, and our goal is to streamline the process so we can focus on the issues that matter most to CALI members.
This first day was not about debating contract language—it was about setting the tone: relationships, expectations, and clarity of purpose. The real work continues, but today mattered. It marked the beginning of a process grounded in unity, intention, and the collective strength of interpreters standing together.