VRS Providers Petition Against Non-Compete Clause
21 05 2007All..
Remember that a few weeks ago I posted an alert on issues regarding the practice of VRS provider forcing Video Interpreters to sign a non-compete clause where if they resign or be fired or for whatever reason no longer works for that VRS provider cannot work for another VRS providers for period of one year.
Well, here it is again. This time it is a group of VRS providers that filed petition against Sorenson for the practice of forcing Video Interpreters sign non-compete agreement.
Petition by VRS Providers on Non-Compete Clause
Basically the petitioners (5 VRS providers) claim that there are several factors that show why this practice should be discontinued.
The Petition lists several examples such as: when an Interpreter gets a VI position, it is based on his/her prior training in interpreting as opposed to VRS provider the one that trains the person how to be an interpreter therefore the training of interpreter was not as result of that VRS provider; or the fact there are no proprietary information that VI gets hands on such as video codec, technical innovations, etc. It also cites past court decisions on what is appropriate and what is not appropriate for non-compete agreements.
It also mentions that if for some reason Sorenson has to do Reduction In Force (RIF) maybe because other VRS providers come out with better video product, or some features that causes RIF of VIs, and because of the non-compete agreement, RIFed Interpreters would not be able to work for other VRS providers – it went on to explain how it can cause VRS providers fail to meet required answer speed.
There are more. Even though there are 83 pages, I strongly suggest y’all to read this – especially Interpreters.
eyes open & thumbs up,
Ed
RT Admin.
I’ve seen some new VRS providers immersing into the pool of VRS providers lately: Viable VRS and NexTalk VRS. Did fcc certify them? Are they now eligble for neca reimbursement? I’ve not seen any public notice on these two new VRS providers.
Steve,
I don’t know if this link is updated or not, but here is the link that lists all TRS providers including VRS.
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/trs_providers.html
Ed
Got word from reliable source that, yes, the link is updated. So, Steve, I guess u got the answer.
Ed –
It doesnt appear that the list has been updated since you posted a message some time ago that listed all VRS providers who provide Personalized VRS phone numbers and that list includes Viable & Nextalk VRS. I was under the impression that this was a list of VRS providers that had been approved by the FCC and were currently recieving NECA funding. Am I mistaken?
I’ve been able to connect with all the VRS providers on that list except for NexTalk VRS. Perhaps I have the wrong IP address.