You may have received the below letter from Newham Language Shop, regarding the national framework contract that they recently won. The letter reads:
Dear (interpreter),
This is a courtesy email to let you know that The Language Shop has been successful in being awarded a place on the national Crown Commissioning Service framework. We are, of course delighted with this and wanted to re-assure all British Sign Language interpreters that in winning this we have not in any way eroded terms and conditions or pay rates. In bidding for this contract we used the NUBSLI national recommended rates within our pricing matrix including the 3 hour minimum; half day and full day rates alongside keeping the industries cancellation terms.
Moving forward we would like to offer you opportunities under this and other national frameworks/contracts that we have. If you would like to offer your services and work with us to ensure a high quality service to our Deaf communities please do email me for our recruitment pack and we would be more than happy to register you in advance of any opportunities.
We are also exploring the idea of running a BSL Interpreter day so that we can all get together and discuss any issues you may have in working with various organisations and ensure that we meet both your needs along with our Deaf communities. Please do let me know if you would be interested in attending, it is likely to take place in London.
Many thanks and hope to hear from you soon.
Warm regards,
Carlo Catbagan
Senior Service Co-Ordinator
The Language Shop
This is good news – it clearly demonstrates the impact that the #ScrapTheFramework campaign and NUBSLI’s freelance fee guidance has had. We see this letter as being very constructive, and have written to Newham to thank them for this reassurance.
If Newham’s decision to do this makes the difference for you as to whether you are willing to work with them, then please let them know that.
NUBSLI is having a positive effect on our profession and is successfully working to safeguard services for both the Deaf community and interpreters’ careers.
Be the change. Join NUBSLI today!
