VRS Vlog #4: An Apology, Fear of Sorenson, and Fearmongering by Purple.
Why are the comments gone/removed? I feel those comments are VERY important and educational for a much better future in the VRS business.
Is it because there were more negatives toward to Sorenson instead of Purple?
Inspite of all the people's comments that were made about Purple, am happy to report Purple still doing good and we intend contiune to do good.
"live and learn"
March 14, 2010 - 10:01am — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
It is time to wake Sorenson up. I hope that Sorenson realize that there are lack of great career oppurunity in upper managment in Soreson. i know that Ron Burdett has been quiet. I think that he already was educated about business competition. I am very sure if Sorenson had many deaf employing in the upper managment level like Purple and others, they would be forced to pay back to FCC for using run minutes for conference and personal calls ( for appointment, billing and important errands). FCC really is so WRONG to make Purple and other companies pay back becacuse FCC MUST CLARIFY the ruling about reimbursment of use of calls in the past.
I am not sure that P 3 is bad marketing. Several deaf used them. they have to use high speed in cable in order to get good picture.
I rather see several companies competing each other. I am glad to see some companies except Sorenson have advocated deaf employee for their career professional.
March 9, 2010 - 11:54am — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
I agree with your comment, I strongly believe Sorenson folks realize they groofed up regards to saying there were clean business. It clearly Sorenson were not, on top everything else I would not be surpise Sorenson employee pressured the person who in charge of this site to remove the comments as I have heard they done that in past. (nothing new about them) Anyway Glad to hear Purple doing great!! I have always believed they can get through this. Keep it up Purple!!
1. Sorenson would not waste their time chasing down negative comments, blogs, vlogs, etc.
2. Most of the comments related to RC's Vlog number 4 were negative comments about Purple and other VRS, not Sorenson.
3. The comments are there.
4. Purple is not doing GREAT. They are barely surviving right now. They have already laid off many employees and have even laid off a few more this very week (two of my friends, for sure). They still owe the government ALOT of money. The P-3 is having alot of problems; many people have stopped using them. From what I've heard from an inside source, Purple is also in breach with their contract with Dell (whose computers they use for P3s).
March 9, 2010 - 11:31am — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
I would like to leave some comments regarding Maria's situation with Data Star. I also would like to express my sympathy to see it happened to all of the deaf employees, who sacrificed their jobs based on their boss' misleadings. However, I discovered that the boss practiced job discrimination against them, which is illegal. The boss let them go based on Maria's disability to hear, which I think is not appropriate. I hope that Maria and her group will find legal rights to either get their jobs back or to prosecute for their wrongdoing. It is up to Maria and her group to report Data Star to Better Business Bureau, www.bbb.org, but I am not sure if it will make things worse. I would strongly suggest that Purple Communications find another internet service for their own good. Thank you for your attention to this matter and I hope this will resolve all issues involving Maria and her co-workers.
February 14, 2010 - 10:31am — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
Where have you gotten your information from? Sorenson has donated millions of dollars to various Deaf organizations and schools all over the nation. Probably more than any other VRS provider. Their contributions have just not been as public as those of Purple and CSDVRS, etc.
February 15, 2010 - 3:38pm — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
They really have not given as much as they should, given the untold millions they have earned in profits at the expense of unsuspecting Deaf individuals who have to suffer from mediocre interpreter quality. They have provided Deaf people with jobs at the lower levels, making them plebes in their grand scheme of things. So far, there is only one token Deaf person at the Executive level and his job is not very influential, from what I gather.
So, please spare me the drivel about how Sorenson has the good intentions of the Deaf community at heart. They are merely a profit machine, with the intent of making profit for themselves and for advancing the Church of Latter Day Saints.
February 16, 2010 - 11:36am — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
LOL!! That's funny! I don't know how accurate or factual--but funny nonetheless! ;) Although I must admit that the VRS big boys (Sorenson, Purple) have gotten way out of control in terms of trying to monopolize the VRS industry (and not in a good way) and should 'fess up to the fact that they are about the almighty dollar signs, not good quality services for deaf folks.
February 15, 2010 - 6:01pm — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
Well, I think you've still got it wrong. There are plenty of managers and supervisors working for Sorenson that are Deaf. The company actively supports advancement and has even paid for some Deaf managers to receive training in order to be promoted. It will take time before we see more and more Deaf advancing, which makes sense. We can't expect to be Vice-Presidents of the company without experience, training, and credentials.
I also know from viewing statistics, fiscal reports, and personal experience that Sorenson probably donates more money toward the Deaf community than ALL the other VRS providers combined. Not only does Sorenson provide fiscal support (donations), they also give support in terms of manpower and activism. Sorenson single-handedly paid for the interpreters at the Town Hall meeting in Utah a few months ago. Sorenson is paying for all of the interpreting services during the Academic Bowl in Utah in a week or so. Sorenson sent approximately 50 employees, on their own time and dime, to support the Deaf community at a meeting at the senate (?) to fight more fiscal cuts for the Deaf Center in Utah. I know they have done the same in Idaho, supporting the CDHH's efforts to resist budget cuts. I've heard also of Sorensondoing the same here and there all across the country.
Oh, and P.S. Sorenson has nothing to do with the LDS/Mormon church. Sorenson is a business, just like Office Max, Best Buy, and so forth.
February 17, 2010 - 6:09am — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
Do enlighten me on the interpreting quality issue, then. I know that I am speaking for a lot of people when I say that the quality of interpreting is inferior to those of other providers. Many Deaf people are bound by the cleverly hidden technical barriers established by the VP-200, which makes it difficult to use other providers.
Like you eloquently indicated, they are a business just like Office Max. If Sorenson has 80% of the market, then they probably rake in approximately 700 Million dollars a year. How much of that is actually doled out to the Deaf community? A very small amount, in proportion to the other providers, I should say. Shame on you for suggesting that there are not number of Deaf people who would be qualified for the higher level management positions. The last 20 years has seen an increasing number of people who would fit the bill nicely.
All of the marketing efforts you mentioned, are simple means to an end- to increase their market share and to establish feeder programs for interpreter labor. Like you said, they are a business like Office Max...
February 18, 2010 - 11:33am — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
I can't speak for everyone, but personally, I think the best interpreters work for Sorenson. Sorenson is also the only VRS company, in my experience, that willingly transfers to a different interpreter if asked.
As for contributions to the Deaf community, I think if you really looked into it, you'd find that Sorenson still contributes more, PERCENTAGE WISE, than any other VRS provider. Look at the VRSII, for example.
February 13, 2010 - 7:02pm — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
I originally posted this response in ' VI Perspective Maria-DataStar-Purple, but find it appropriate to post here as well...
As former Purple VI, I agree with and can attest to EVERYTHING Gina and Maria expressed their vlogs. All former and current Purple VIs KNOW of the devious deceptions (such as DataStar) Purple used in order to accumulate billable minutes ($$) in the name of 'providing equality & employment for Deaf people'. Let me tell you, during that time as a Purple VI interpreting Data Star calls, I spent HOURS each day interpreting for Deaf Data Star employees. And as a result of seeing the same folks every single day, several hours a day, five days a week--you get to know each other and develop an amiable working rapport with each other. It was a strange thing knowing that we, the VI and Deaf Data Star employee, equally knew that this Data Star thing created by Purple was a complete scam but felt compelled and helpless to abide Purple's dictate in order to keep our jobs.
I am not disgruntled ex-Purple employee; actually, I feel rather relieved and my conscious is lighter knowing that I don't have to interpret these scams and lies in order to make money for the company I work for. My concern is for all of the former Deaf Data Star employees who got the rug pulled out from under them and were used as Purple's poster children who were used as a cover-up to their ploys to take advantage of the system. How did this wonderful thing known as Video Relay turn into such an ugly unethical scheme to steal millions of dollars meant to used for equal access/communication for Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL users?? If there was such a thing as an FCC "10 Most Wanted VRS Criminals list", Purple would top out at number one for the amount of lies and deceit used to take advantage of innocent hard-working people in order to steal millions of our federal dollars. The other VRS hacks who were caught at least admitted to their wrong doings, but Purple is still getting away with the duping the public into believing that they had nothing to do with the entity known as Data Star when in fact they masterminded it, denied it, covered it up, and got millions of $$ in the process.
As an interpreter, I am extremely fortunate that I am able to find work easily enough in the community in order to take care of my family even though I lost my job at Purple. However, the same cannot be said for the many Deaf employees who suddenly lost their jobs at Data Star. This makes me extremely sad--especially because I have gotten to know many of these folks who wanted to earn an honest living but had to put up with things like not being trained on the awful English telemarketing scripts that were NOT Deaf friendly, impossible communication with non-signing, culturally ignorant Hearing staff and managers, and worst of all (but not least of all)--never knowing if, when or how much they will paid from any given week nor ever given an explanation as to why. Is this really Purple's definition of creating jobs and equality for Deaf people?? It's more like Purple's 'jobs for Deaf' facade being used to take advantage of Deaf people and interpreters to rake in our federally funded dollars to line their pockets with.
To former Deaf Data Star employees: I hope that you are all doing okay and know that many of us former and current Purple VIs commiserated and empathized COMPLETELY with everything you/we had to face together during those awful telemarketing calls. I hope that life finds you healthy, happy, and your hearts in a good place. I hope that you were able to find gainful employment with a company who has integrity and value you regardless of whether or not you are Deaf--and that you are happy working there. Take care of yourselves and maybe one day we'll see each other in the community and laugh about all this craziness known as Purple and Data Star. Hey, as least we don't have to defeat diabetes and get cussed out by 90 yr old senior citizens anymore! Take care of yourselves! Miss you guys! :)
February 14, 2010 - 4:02pm — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
I am a working Video Interpreter for Purple and have been for many years. I have interpreted many Data Star calls also. If Purple has anything to do with Maria's Data Star experience, I never knew about it. So you shouldn't say that "All former and current Purple VIs KNOW of the devious deceptions (such as DataStar) Purple used in order to accumulate billable minutes ($$) in the name of 'providing equality & employment for Deaf people" because I certainly DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING THEN OR KNOW ANYTHING NOW about Data Star and how or if they're affiliated with Purple. Please do not speak about your interpreting experience as if they were everyone's experience.
March 14, 2010 - 10:20am — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
Hello interpreter you ask FCC if it is true. Have you read the announcment by FCC recently. Purple SnapVRS and Sorenson knew that ! Yes Purple, Bonhenyo and Viable maybe other did marekting activity on running minutes.
February 3, 2010 - 9:26pm — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
I am an contracted employee of Purple. One of the lower-tier deaf contractors, an outreach representative. I've been employed for over a year. I am currently a graduate student and in my twenties.
I am about to quit, though.
Why? I think Purple is unethical. Many other co-employees, contractor outreach representatives, agree with me. There is much resentment simmering among us, the lower tier contractors. All the employees who joined after me, have quit or become fired due to "lack of activity." "Lack of activity" isn't their fault - they, like me, joined the company with enthusiasm brewing in their veins. That enthusiasm was quickly killed by the business plan of Purple.
Let's see about one example of unethical actions. My district manager practices absurd favoritism. For example: when the MVP came out, he handed a huge arseload of MVP installation assignments to his "team leader" and her daughter (who was hired after I was). This daughter is an undergraduate in college and not even in a technology-related major. Each installation was $65. I got a little amount, and it was a smidgen in comparison to the huge amounts that this team leader and her daughter got. I remember looking over the assignment sheet and thinking "What the hell, this is blatant favoritism." I asked more for my share, since I needed the money, and the manager said "You will, you will." Obviously a spin, and I never got any more. Other co-employees are aware about this and are resentful. We got meager sums of money, while the team leader, her daughter, and the manager got considerable income. Yeah, what?
Purple's "leaders" have made horrible business decisions that have affected the image of the whole company, and especially us hard-working deaf employees at the lower tier level.
For example: back to the MVP. Touted as an awesome mobile video phone and heavily advertised underneath the veneer of a slick campaign, it has monstrously flopped. I was hired to help Purple prepare for the MVP. I installed a good number of MVPs in the spring. It was slow and buggy. My manager: "Wait and see, software updates will come, and it'll be like the 2nd coming of Christ -- and you'll be rolling in money!" Sure, I said. I needed money for grad school, for sustaining myself. Then the updates came in... and they never resolved the "slow and buggy" issues. And then the updates stopped coming in at all.
Months passed. Then the uncertainty became the reality: flop.
Sad thing is, from this flop - it affected my main income for my job, from conversions. What is a conversion? After persuasion, customers would let me install Purple services on their VP's, may it be a VP-200 or Ojo, then let me call up teledirect companies for confirmation with me. I got like $50 for each conversion. I used the MVP as my bait, to get in the fishes. After the MVP flopped, the conversion market pretty much died and my income plummeted despite much searching and attempted persuasion. Again, great job with the MVP.
Don't forget the infamous conference call scheme. During the summer, when my income was practically zilch, Purple dangled $400 before our eyes, saying that we could have that amount of moola if we joined manager-led conference calls four days a week, for a hour. Each day had set intervals, set hours, so we could choose which hour to call in. Using Purple's interpreters. It was obviously bullshit, as we often ran out of things to talk about, and people kept on complaining. A employee missed a hour out of the whole month? Too bad! No $400 for you! Every conference call was a madhouse at the beginning, with tons of employees competing to get into the call, with only ~20 being allowed in with the rest being shut out. So there were plenty of people with other jobs who couldn't fit the hours in their schedule. No money. While the higher-tier employees gathered in the apparent millions handed out by the FCC.
I got no $400 that month of July, naturally. I gave up after three weeks. It was too much. Then the FCC got a whiff of that, and the rest is history.
At a certain major post-secondary deaf-education institution where I work at, everybody tells me, "My MVP is just gathering dust." "What the hell, Purple?" "Screw Purple," and worse. "I bought my Purple Netbook and I haven't used P3!" Yeah.
I've had nearly no income since summer, despite the work I do. And my regional manager has a salary and a nice house and nice luxury car. I'm still on the payroll despite having done no work for a couple months. Nobody has made any effort to encourage me into doing work. All the Vlogs made by Purple's higher-up deaf employees are constant chants of "You want money! You want money!" And they recently cut down contractor pay rates. Instead of $50/conversion, we get $25. Real efficient. Punishing us for the shoddy work of the higher ups. That's not gonna motivate me any better.
Really, Purple? Great use of company resources and manpower. And there are many like me.
March 14, 2010 - 10:25am — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
If you have information, including videos, regarding manufactured VRS minutes, run calls, bogus/suspect marketing calls, bogus/suspect conference calls, or similar activity involving any VRS provider, please contact the FCC Office of Inspector General at hotline@fcc.gov. Information can be provided anonymously and will be used for law enforcement purposes only.
February 1, 2010 - 6:44pm — Anonymous (not verified)
BTW, I also thought the parallel between Concentration Camps to Maria's situation was bit much. Maybe you should consider going easy on the rhetoric next time. Just a suggestion because, it is like others have mentioned, lot of Maria's complaints (like limit numbers of breaks and dress code) is very much a common place in the today's world.
Maria's story may be many things, but all of them are far cry from the attempted genocide of races thought to be genetically inferior.
Anonymous M.
February 1, 2010 - 3:38pm — Anonymous (not verified)
One thing that struck me funny is in the 69 comments made on this vlog, nobody brought up the dirty, socialist word: Union.
We, the deaf people of United States, are both the suppliers and costumers of VRS. We fulfill the supply and demand end of the overall marketing strategy of VRS/VP companies. We have insane amount of power within our hands in this case. Moreso if the employees stand together as a union.
After all, VRS companies doesn't make money off distributing the resources we use to access the service (VP, Webcam, etc). Rather, they make money off us using the service they provide. A simple union would give the workers on the lower ends of the economic spectrum (or, according to Ryan Commerson's not-so-reliable estimates (which is understandable because he doesn't have an access to these informations at the time), large majority of deaf workers within the VRS companies. Say what you will about Deaf Community, we are close-knitted group of people who would rush to the aid of our community at the drop of pen. Following this logic, a union, with its massive network and a single communication center would control the supply and demand because any VRS companies that aren't on the side of Union with huge number of Deaf members would, in theory, earn the costumers' ire and lead us to stop using their products in favor of a laundry list of other VRS/VP providers in United States.
So why doesn't the employees of VRS companies create their own Union?
The creation of union would serve to fill all the critical roles of Ryan Commerson's idealistic vision of VRS role in our community. It gives the workers stronger, united voice on how they would like to see the company act within the deaf community, work to break the glass ceiling when it comes to the treatment of deaf people and ASL users who are employed by the said VRS companies, encourage the rise of deaf workers within the company, and give VRS more than one reasons to actively reaching out to the deaf community as opposed to making money off us by shoving the product in our face for free and expecting us to use it.
Time to start thinking of better solutions.
Best,
Anonymous M
February 8, 2010 - 6:34am — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
I can tell you why nobody brought up the "dirty socialist word, union". Unions in the last 30 years have seriously lost their effectiveness to advocate for their employees. Yes, in the turn of the century, unions were instrumental in helping to pass very important labor laws to protect employees (Fair Labor Standard Act, OSHA, etc) and we owe a lot to unions. Now, in a somewhat competitive employment situation, it is in companies best interest to provide excellent working conditions and fair compensation/benefits.
With a number of companies to work for, the best thing to do is to jump ship and work for another employer. I know that this is easier said than done and it may mean that the person has to move to another location, go back to school for retraining, etc.
Today's unions are mostly about fattening their coffers by desperately adding new members. Union employees make up 13% of the workforce (and that counts the federal unions) and 7-8% of the workforce (without the federal unions) for good reason. Their effectiveness is no more-
Instead, employees need to find a way to bring up their concerns with management. If management shows that they don't care, then walk out. Trust me, unions are not worth it- because they will not look at you as an individual, but as one of many people hopefully who will agree with one voice.
January 28, 2010 - 11:16pm — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
Jerry Nelson & Anonymous on Jan 27 at 10:44 am
It ain't the question of Purple or Datastar. It is the question of YOU YOURSELF. You eyewitnessed the abuse of deaf employees. You eyewitnessed deaf employees suffering in a crowded room like a crowded cage of pig cage, a crowded cage of hens, a crowded prison of humans (Ryan FINISH SHOW clear pictures as a good example. You eyewitnessed and felt the sweat of deaf employees because of no AC. Yet you didn't report to the authorities that deaf people were treated like pictures that Ryan FINISH SHOW in his vlog. Deaf employees were human beings and could FEEL.
You said you had nothing to do with them becvause you are Purple and they were Datastar. Do you mean that you would not help Haitian people buried in earthquake becvause USA is your home. Are you kidding? You lack sensitivity and responsibility. Don't you feel any pain for Haitian people? If you do, why didn't you feel the same for deaf employees by calling the authorities.
I have seen Maria's complaint about Datastar. She said there were no TRAINING ! Supervisors has no CLEAR communication to Deaf employees. No interpreters. Supervisors screaming at them ??? To Deaf people. Threatening to fire them for little things. That creates hostile work environment. NOBODY wants to work there but they needed money to make a living, raise their kids and pay their bills, taxes, etc. This is a sweatshop. Those hearing people had cozy offices and comfortable rooms to work in but those Deaf workers work in cramped and hot room. I had plenty of experience working in sweatshops in past years. You will not believe the treatment I had recieved from my supervisor or foreman. I get thrown at with a wrench just to get my attention. I get a yelled at and screamed at. I don't understand anything they said except the cuss words of course. I get late from my break which is not my fault cuz I rely on looking at hearing co-workers getting up which means the bell rang but sometimes they didn't cuz the noises were loud that the bell weren't heard. I got shit for it. Get a watch !!! My supervisor told me....but the breaks are on various times and it changes so that wouldn't help me. I was not allowed jewlery or watches at the workplace which contradicts my supervisor's suggestion. It was stressful working there. Of course I didn't stay there I went on to other jobs. It's an abusive behaviour from the supervisor and foreman. I don't see them do that to hearing co-workers which convinced me that Deaf workers were singled out to be vented on. You said it's just work and we are paid to work. Yes but with humane way with training and couresty without alienating them. If they want respect then they have to earn it from us. Respect comes with two way street. If workers are handled with respect and couresty then workers will feel comfortable and they would do a better job. The company or the boss needs the workers to do the work. Workers need job for money. Abuse the workers and they leave...company will have to hire another and train them which costs money and time. Unhappy workers will affect the quality of the job. That's why they form unions to prevent that kind of abuses from the companies.
January 27, 2010 - 12:45pm — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
Maria, you need to face reality about common practices in almost all work environements. They are hired to WORK with 2-15 min break and 30 min or 1 hour lunch. Two most common reasons for letting employees go are 1. not getting along with other workers and 2. inappropriate behaviors. Too much talking on job or goofing off are considered inappropriate behaviors. Dress code is common in most work enviornments. Apparently Maria does not understand chain of command. I do not know what role Jerry Nelson has but he is following the procedure based on the chain of command. If Jerry step out of his role, he probably would be dismissed for not staying in his role. Another issue may be lack of any opporuntities to resolve the issues in the work force. I think there is not enough information for us to react appropraitely based on Maria's vlog. I have so many questions about the situation that Maria spoke of.
January 27, 2010 - 12:19pm — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
"Ryan, I strongly suggest you to contact Purple and GET their side of the story instead of reporting ONLY Maria's story. yes Maria's story is compelling and sad however PURPLE had NO Control over that at all. GET FACTS before you jump the gun and spread false accusations. "
Ryan did this expose story with Datastar with their business with Purple. It had prompted a reaction from Jerry from Purple to do his vlog to explain his side of the story. It worked. Too bad Jerry being a representative to Purple did not explain his job when he was at Datastar to the deaf employees there. That led to misunderstanding and frustration with those Datastar's Deaf employees. That shows arrogant attitude when he was there saying nothing and doing nothing. Of course Datastar did not explain to them why Jerry or Purple was there and what his purpose was. If it was me I would have introduced myself to those Deaf employees and what my job is and what the purpose of the visit are for instead of giving them silent treatment. That would have made a clear understanding and clear communication with those Deaf employees. If that was done then Maria wouldn't have complained about Jerry's behavior at Datastar.
Good job Ryan.
January 27, 2010 - 10:44am — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
Maria, welcome to the wonderful world of work (reality) and Ryan, you cannot possibly compare the experiences of the Jewish people during Holocaust to what we go through. They were exterminated in gas chambers, burned alive in ovens, and had horrid living conditions with feces, urine, and diseases around them. Many of us deaf people are living comfortably and we are far better off than those who live in third world countries. In their eyes, even the poor here are rich. VRS is not the only place to get a job, there are other places. Deaf people need to stop using SSI as a crutch and start looking for jobs be it VRS, Gallaudet University, or McDonald's. I have gone through 7 years of rejection, false hopes, and bitter disappointments before I finally got a job. Throughout the 7 years, I've worked oddjobs to help pay the bills and yes, it was very maddening and frustrating. It doesn't mean we should stop looking for jobs, lay back on the recliner, and get free money just because we are entitled to it. I get your point through all your VRS vlogs because I have experienced the frustrations but it doesn't mean ALL hearing people are evil.
January 27, 2010 - 9:55am — In the Know (not verified)
while I agree that Purple's involvement with DS was not handled well I think there are some things that should be cleared up.
-There were not "run calls" like we've been hearing about with Viable. These were legit marketing calls. Hearing people sit in the same cramped conditions and make these kinds of calls all day. There's nothing illegal about deaf people doing the same work through VRS.
-Some of Maria's complaints seem understandable. Cramped conditions, hot, no fire escape. Some are just complaining.
She's mad that she only gets two 15 minute breaks and a lunch? That's all anyone gets. If you work 4 hours or less you get one 15 min break. More than 6 hours you get a lunch and a 15. 8 Hours a lunch and two 15 min breaks. It's pretty much the standard in the US.
She's mad that they made her show up on time? Oh no! How terrible. She's mad that they wanted her working not chatting? You go to work to work.
She didn't want to wear dark clothes? Maria's not all that dark. It was hard to follow her story at times because of the glare coming off her hands. Dark clothes would be fine for her.
Finally if she hated the job so much then why was she mad when she got laid off. Now she's free to go get a better job.
Finally, comparing a crappy job to the holocaust is deplorable. You should be ashamed. I've had some bad jobs but I've never compared it to the murder of 6 million people. My family was interned by the US government during WWII and I've never even compared my crappy jobs to their struggle. Seriously, bad move RC.
Purple isn't perfect. They clearly made some mistakes with DS. When it was clear that the program wasn't working they ended it. There was nothing illegal. Clearly DS should have provided better training. I just hope we can focus on the real issues with Purple rather than things that don't really matter or are standard in most jobs in the US.
First of all, shame on you, Ryan, for posting this vlog and comparing the work conditions to that of a sweatshop. You are the epitome of the crab theory...Purple has always gone above and beyond for the Deaf community.
Secondly, Maria...sadly, welcome to the real world of working. The work is boring, it is monotonous, the bosses are arrogant and the kitchens are small. Miscommunication happens in the real world to hearing people as well. It is not Jerry Nelson's fault, it is not Purple's fault, it is not your fault.
Last, I would like to commend Purple for making positive changes in response to their consumers.
March 14, 2010 - 10:16am — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
I see Ryan C. did right thing to bring up the concern Have you read many comments in Deaf victim viable since last Jan ? Purple used datastar computer s to identify minutes for deaf employess s time card. They were marketing specialist and worked for Purple. You know that FCC did not allow any VRS companies to bill minutes for marketing activities. I am not going to discuss forever on that issue. I brought up additional comments to that on blogs in deaf victims viable becuaes i realized that Purple had similiar operation as Bonheyo had. I was victimized by Bonheyo company who really cheated and got advantage of over 200 deaf employee. I wanted to clarify about that to emphasize that having marketing department is not innapproriate. I want to end disucssion on that !
March 14, 2010 - 10:28am — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
Purple has no connection with Datastar? Check the link, http://datastarlllp.com/id2.html and look at an icon at the lower left corner of the website. Jerry Nelson is a liar and his pants are on fire. So is Purple!
January 26, 2010 - 11:42pm — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
Like Jerry said, Purple continues no business relationship with Datastar after 90th contractual day. I am glad that had to end right there after Purple recognized them making no improvement. I am sure all Deaf employees were aware of this but some chose to stay employing for Datastar.
As for Purple's icon, it does not mean that they are working in partnership specifically the hiring and employing Deaf individuals. It is designed to provide any Deaf/Hard of Hearing customer to contact anyone like the others at Hungry Howies', Piedmont United, etc. See below, you will find the same icon on their websites.
In nutshell, the Purple is dedicated to support Deaf community by gaining a greater access via telecommunication and employment opportunities. I hope every one of you are in agreement with this mission.
Thank you,
Just someone who believes in Deaf rhythm
P.S. Can we use your energy to focus on upward mobility and breaking the glass ceiling?
January 26, 2010 - 7:07pm — deafnet (not verified)
I watched Jerry Nelson/Purple Vlog at DeafRead.com...
I think we shall point finger to Data Star... not Purple
Thank Jerry for your time with us and sorry for get you into mess...
January 26, 2010 - 6:14pm — Jerry Nelson, VP Purple (not verified)
Hello everyone. This is Jerry Nelson, Vice President at Purple Communications. I want to respond to the posts on here that attack Purple and me personally. Anyone who knows me, my professional background and ethics knows that I am a strong advocate for the deaf community, I have worked for many years for deaf access rights, including rights in the workplace. My work at Purple involves working with corporate America to increase workplace accessibility using video relay technology. I am saddened and surprised that persons whom do not even know me are saying horrible things about me. I hope that people that know me, and that know the good team that is leading Purple now, will speak up against these attacks. As for the posts about Purple and the relationship with DataStar, there is a post on the Purple site in response to the rumors and statements being presented here, you can see them at www.purple.us/blog/
January 27, 2010 - 11:25am — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
Thank you for telling your side of the story through your vlog but there are several things that I am kind of confused about.
1. You mentioned in your vlog that you had deaf employees works in a cubicle. Are you implying that you never saw any inappropriate working conditions that Maria described about? If you did saw it, why didn't you report it during your first visit? If you saw a murder happening in a workplace, you would report it immediately instead of waiting to terminate the contract. So why did you wait 90 days or ignored the terrible work conditions during your four visits? You can say it is none of Purple's business because it's Datastar's problem but you should have been a better person to stand up and do something with these poor deaf people suffering there instead of ignoring them.
2. You said that purple hired deaf people for executive positions. How many percent of deaf people work in the executive positions? How come Purple never take the consideration to hire deaf ceo when two of them who are hearing and already left during the past year? The glass ceiling effect?
Lastly, we could tell that you were reading a script when you were doing your vlog. It is like you are being a puppet and telling us what Purple want you to tell us. I would suggest that you tell the truth with straight eye contact instead of beating around the bush.
January 27, 2010 - 5:00am — Deaf Anonymous (not verified)
I'm bewildered Purple did business with Data Star in the first place. This is the crux of my thinking. Purple pumped business in their veins and got out of Data Star's bed when the former had nothing to lose. This is what Purple is known for--mastering the art of saving face. It's no accident they're losing executives and employees not to mention trading on pink sheets nowadays. If Purple are what they say they are they'd be second to none dusting the competition. They're not and it's not happening. I know about Jerry Nelson and his consulting work with The Master Group some years ago. How do I know? I learned John Yeh's Viable Technologies (not to be confused with Viable Communications) used one of Master Group's grants as template for one of its own from the Department of Education's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. How ironic! Remember MVP which is technically vaporware to many people? MVP stands for Manipulating Vulnerable People. I can't trust providers unless they disclose minutes they generate monthly. As long as surcharges funds the industry their businesses needs to be made known to the public. No kidding here!
January 26, 2010 - 5:24pm — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
check this out http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20100114006174&newsLang=en
The link i found from RC's first VRSVlog...
Is Sorenson now wake up?? This Press Release were issued before RC's first VRS Vlog...
It looks to me like a marketing scheme more so than training with substance that will lead to successful employment for Deaf students. Sorenson is promoting SVRS in this venture and nothing more.
January 26, 2010 - 12:30pm — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
This is just more spin- all companies are spinning to survive in this industry. We saw Sean's spin on ZVRS with his lengthy letter- it's all well and good, hopefully we will get our facts from unbiased sources soon. The truth shall make us free-
January 26, 2010 - 9:18am — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
Thank you for your wonderful representative for us all, federal taxpayers.
There are 2 different Federal tax on our phone bills: 1. Universal Connectivity Fee (Universal Service Fund), Federal; and 2. Federal Excise Tax, Federal from this sample phone bills link: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/phonebills/samplePhonebill.html
Gosh, looks like there are no Deaf works for FCC to investigate the VRS Industry! That's a big shame!
We, the federal taxpayers have to pay 3 percents to FCC separately from phone bills which it is from our weekly or bi-weekly pay checks.
Keep up with your good job!
January 26, 2010 - 8:50am — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
I appreciate Sean Belanger's efforts to communicate with RC's viewers. It is quite disappointing that there are plenty of anonymous signers here attacking anything that might move.
Sean, I read your message and I have plenty of questions as well.
So what if they have a yacht? We haven't heard Jerry Nelson's side of the story. Remember Purple cut all ties with Datastar after only about 90 days of the partnership with them. It is very possible, like other people mentioned, that he was the person who strongly advocated that the company cut ties with Datastar, who obviously was not treating their Deaf employees well. I am sorry that Maria lost her job, but I think it is better that Datastar cease all involvement with the Deaf community than to put other Deaf people through miserable working conditions.
Let's take everything with a grain of salt and assume that there is more to a story than meets the eye.
January 26, 2010 - 6:48pm — Anonymous Signer (not verified)
Comments
VRS Vlog #4: An Apology, Fear of Sorenson, and Fearmongering by
VRS Vlog #4: An Apology, Fear of Sorenson, and Fearmongering by Purple.
Why are the comments gone/removed? I feel those comments are VERY important and educational for a much better future in the VRS business.
Is it because there were more negatives toward to Sorenson instead of Purple?
Inspite of all the people's comments that were made about Purple, am happy to report Purple still doing good and we intend contiune to do good.
"live and learn"
fear of Sorenson
It is time to wake Sorenson up. I hope that Sorenson realize that there are lack of great career oppurunity in upper managment in Soreson. i know that Ron Burdett has been quiet. I think that he already was educated about business competition. I am very sure if Sorenson had many deaf employing in the upper managment level like Purple and others, they would be forced to pay back to FCC for using run minutes for conference and personal calls ( for appointment, billing and important errands). FCC really is so WRONG to make Purple and other companies pay back becacuse FCC MUST CLARIFY the ruling about reimbursment of use of calls in the past.
I am not sure that P 3 is bad marketing. Several deaf used them. they have to use high speed in cable in order to get good picture.
I rather see several companies competing each other. I am glad to see some companies except Sorenson have advocated deaf employee for their career professional.
VRS Vlog #4: An Apology, Fear of Sorenson, and Fearmongering by
I agree with your comment, I strongly believe Sorenson folks realize they groofed up regards to saying there were clean business. It clearly Sorenson were not, on top everything else I would not be surpise Sorenson employee pressured the person who in charge of this site to remove the comments as I have heard they done that in past. (nothing new about them) Anyway Glad to hear Purple doing great!! I have always believed they can get through this. Keep it up Purple!!
Good grief.
1. Sorenson would not waste their time chasing down negative comments, blogs, vlogs, etc.
2. Most of the comments related to RC's Vlog number 4 were negative comments about Purple and other VRS, not Sorenson.
3. The comments are there.
4. Purple is not doing GREAT. They are barely surviving right now. They have already laid off many employees and have even laid off a few more this very week (two of my friends, for sure). They still owe the government ALOT of money. The P-3 is having alot of problems; many people have stopped using them. From what I've heard from an inside source, Purple is also in breach with their contract with Dell (whose computers they use for P3s).
my bad, guess it is working
my bad, guess it is working now. Aplogies.
pay back
FCC requested Purple to pay 17 million dollars back
The Situation with Data Star
I would like to leave some comments regarding Maria's situation with Data Star. I also would like to express my sympathy to see it happened to all of the deaf employees, who sacrificed their jobs based on their boss' misleadings. However, I discovered that the boss practiced job discrimination against them, which is illegal. The boss let them go based on Maria's disability to hear, which I think is not appropriate. I hope that Maria and her group will find legal rights to either get their jobs back or to prosecute for their wrongdoing. It is up to Maria and her group to report Data Star to Better Business Bureau, www.bbb.org, but I am not sure if it will make things worse. I would strongly suggest that Purple Communications find another internet service for their own good. Thank you for your attention to this matter and I hope this will resolve all issues involving Maria and her co-workers.
Sorenson
Where have you gotten your information from? Sorenson has donated millions of dollars to various Deaf organizations and schools all over the nation. Probably more than any other VRS provider. Their contributions have just not been as public as those of Purple and CSDVRS, etc.
They really have not given
They really have not given as much as they should, given the untold millions they have earned in profits at the expense of unsuspecting Deaf individuals who have to suffer from mediocre interpreter quality. They have provided Deaf people with jobs at the lower levels, making them plebes in their grand scheme of things. So far, there is only one token Deaf person at the Executive level and his job is not very influential, from what I gather.
So, please spare me the drivel about how Sorenson has the good intentions of the Deaf community at heart. They are merely a profit machine, with the intent of making profit for themselves and for advancing the Church of Latter Day Saints.
VRS in the name of religion...?
LOL!! That's funny! I don't know how accurate or factual--but funny nonetheless! ;) Although I must admit that the VRS big boys (Sorenson, Purple) have gotten way out of control in terms of trying to monopolize the VRS industry (and not in a good way) and should 'fess up to the fact that they are about the almighty dollar signs, not good quality services for deaf folks.
Well, I think you've still
Well, I think you've still got it wrong. There are plenty of managers and supervisors working for Sorenson that are Deaf. The company actively supports advancement and has even paid for some Deaf managers to receive training in order to be promoted. It will take time before we see more and more Deaf advancing, which makes sense. We can't expect to be Vice-Presidents of the company without experience, training, and credentials.
I also know from viewing statistics, fiscal reports, and personal experience that Sorenson probably donates more money toward the Deaf community than ALL the other VRS providers combined. Not only does Sorenson provide fiscal support (donations), they also give support in terms of manpower and activism. Sorenson single-handedly paid for the interpreters at the Town Hall meeting in Utah a few months ago. Sorenson is paying for all of the interpreting services during the Academic Bowl in Utah in a week or so. Sorenson sent approximately 50 employees, on their own time and dime, to support the Deaf community at a meeting at the senate (?) to fight more fiscal cuts for the Deaf Center in Utah. I know they have done the same in Idaho, supporting the CDHH's efforts to resist budget cuts. I've heard also of Sorensondoing the same here and there all across the country.
Oh, and P.S. Sorenson has nothing to do with the LDS/Mormon church. Sorenson is a business, just like Office Max, Best Buy, and so forth.
Interpreting quality
Do enlighten me on the interpreting quality issue, then. I know that I am speaking for a lot of people when I say that the quality of interpreting is inferior to those of other providers. Many Deaf people are bound by the cleverly hidden technical barriers established by the VP-200, which makes it difficult to use other providers.
Like you eloquently indicated, they are a business just like Office Max. If Sorenson has 80% of the market, then they probably rake in approximately 700 Million dollars a year. How much of that is actually doled out to the Deaf community? A very small amount, in proportion to the other providers, I should say. Shame on you for suggesting that there are not number of Deaf people who would be qualified for the higher level management positions. The last 20 years has seen an increasing number of people who would fit the bill nicely.
All of the marketing efforts you mentioned, are simple means to an end- to increase their market share and to establish feeder programs for interpreter labor. Like you said, they are a business like Office Max...
I can't speak for everyone,
I can't speak for everyone, but personally, I think the best interpreters work for Sorenson. Sorenson is also the only VRS company, in my experience, that willingly transfers to a different interpreter if asked.
As for contributions to the Deaf community, I think if you really looked into it, you'd find that Sorenson still contributes more, PERCENTAGE WISE, than any other VRS provider. Look at the VRSII, for example.
Purple is seriously going to hell...
I originally posted this response in ' VI Perspective Maria-DataStar-Purple, but find it appropriate to post here as well...
As former Purple VI, I agree with and can attest to EVERYTHING Gina and Maria expressed their vlogs. All former and current Purple VIs KNOW of the devious deceptions (such as DataStar) Purple used in order to accumulate billable minutes ($$) in the name of 'providing equality & employment for Deaf people'. Let me tell you, during that time as a Purple VI interpreting Data Star calls, I spent HOURS each day interpreting for Deaf Data Star employees. And as a result of seeing the same folks every single day, several hours a day, five days a week--you get to know each other and develop an amiable working rapport with each other. It was a strange thing knowing that we, the VI and Deaf Data Star employee, equally knew that this Data Star thing created by Purple was a complete scam but felt compelled and helpless to abide Purple's dictate in order to keep our jobs.
I am not disgruntled ex-Purple employee; actually, I feel rather relieved and my conscious is lighter knowing that I don't have to interpret these scams and lies in order to make money for the company I work for. My concern is for all of the former Deaf Data Star employees who got the rug pulled out from under them and were used as Purple's poster children who were used as a cover-up to their ploys to take advantage of the system. How did this wonderful thing known as Video Relay turn into such an ugly unethical scheme to steal millions of dollars meant to used for equal access/communication for Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL users?? If there was such a thing as an FCC "10 Most Wanted VRS Criminals list", Purple would top out at number one for the amount of lies and deceit used to take advantage of innocent hard-working people in order to steal millions of our federal dollars. The other VRS hacks who were caught at least admitted to their wrong doings, but Purple is still getting away with the duping the public into believing that they had nothing to do with the entity known as Data Star when in fact they masterminded it, denied it, covered it up, and got millions of $$ in the process.
As an interpreter, I am extremely fortunate that I am able to find work easily enough in the community in order to take care of my family even though I lost my job at Purple. However, the same cannot be said for the many Deaf employees who suddenly lost their jobs at Data Star. This makes me extremely sad--especially because I have gotten to know many of these folks who wanted to earn an honest living but had to put up with things like not being trained on the awful English telemarketing scripts that were NOT Deaf friendly, impossible communication with non-signing, culturally ignorant Hearing staff and managers, and worst of all (but not least of all)--never knowing if, when or how much they will paid from any given week nor ever given an explanation as to why. Is this really Purple's definition of creating jobs and equality for Deaf people?? It's more like Purple's 'jobs for Deaf' facade being used to take advantage of Deaf people and interpreters to rake in our federally funded dollars to line their pockets with.
To former Deaf Data Star employees: I hope that you are all doing okay and know that many of us former and current Purple VIs commiserated and empathized COMPLETELY with everything you/we had to face together during those awful telemarketing calls. I hope that life finds you healthy, happy, and your hearts in a good place. I hope that you were able to find gainful employment with a company who has integrity and value you regardless of whether or not you are Deaf--and that you are happy working there. Take care of yourselves and maybe one day we'll see each other in the community and laugh about all this craziness known as Purple and Data Star. Hey, as least we don't have to defeat diabetes and get cussed out by 90 yr old senior citizens anymore! Take care of yourselves! Miss you guys! :)
I am a working Video
I am a working Video Interpreter for Purple and have been for many years. I have interpreted many Data Star calls also. If Purple has anything to do with Maria's Data Star experience, I never knew about it. So you shouldn't say that "All former and current Purple VIs KNOW of the devious deceptions (such as DataStar) Purple used in order to accumulate billable minutes ($$) in the name of 'providing equality & employment for Deaf people" because I certainly DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING THEN OR KNOW ANYTHING NOW about Data Star and how or if they're affiliated with Purple. Please do not speak about your interpreting experience as if they were everyone's experience.
ask FCC
Hello interpreter you ask FCC if it is true. Have you read the announcment by FCC recently. Purple SnapVRS and Sorenson knew that ! Yes Purple, Bonhenyo and Viable maybe other did marekting activity on running minutes.
Which VRS has the best quality of Video Interpreters?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6C9n8vUuok
Opinion of a lower-tier Purple contractor
Hi all,
I am an contracted employee of Purple. One of the lower-tier deaf contractors, an outreach representative. I've been employed for over a year. I am currently a graduate student and in my twenties.
I am about to quit, though.
Why? I think Purple is unethical. Many other co-employees, contractor outreach representatives, agree with me. There is much resentment simmering among us, the lower tier contractors. All the employees who joined after me, have quit or become fired due to "lack of activity." "Lack of activity" isn't their fault - they, like me, joined the company with enthusiasm brewing in their veins. That enthusiasm was quickly killed by the business plan of Purple.
Let's see about one example of unethical actions. My district manager practices absurd favoritism. For example: when the MVP came out, he handed a huge arseload of MVP installation assignments to his "team leader" and her daughter (who was hired after I was). This daughter is an undergraduate in college and not even in a technology-related major. Each installation was $65. I got a little amount, and it was a smidgen in comparison to the huge amounts that this team leader and her daughter got. I remember looking over the assignment sheet and thinking "What the hell, this is blatant favoritism." I asked more for my share, since I needed the money, and the manager said "You will, you will." Obviously a spin, and I never got any more. Other co-employees are aware about this and are resentful. We got meager sums of money, while the team leader, her daughter, and the manager got considerable income. Yeah, what?
Purple's "leaders" have made horrible business decisions that have affected the image of the whole company, and especially us hard-working deaf employees at the lower tier level.
For example: back to the MVP. Touted as an awesome mobile video phone and heavily advertised underneath the veneer of a slick campaign, it has monstrously flopped. I was hired to help Purple prepare for the MVP. I installed a good number of MVPs in the spring. It was slow and buggy. My manager: "Wait and see, software updates will come, and it'll be like the 2nd coming of Christ -- and you'll be rolling in money!" Sure, I said. I needed money for grad school, for sustaining myself. Then the updates came in... and they never resolved the "slow and buggy" issues. And then the updates stopped coming in at all.
Months passed. Then the uncertainty became the reality: flop.
Sad thing is, from this flop - it affected my main income for my job, from conversions. What is a conversion? After persuasion, customers would let me install Purple services on their VP's, may it be a VP-200 or Ojo, then let me call up teledirect companies for confirmation with me. I got like $50 for each conversion. I used the MVP as my bait, to get in the fishes. After the MVP flopped, the conversion market pretty much died and my income plummeted despite much searching and attempted persuasion. Again, great job with the MVP.
Don't forget the infamous conference call scheme. During the summer, when my income was practically zilch, Purple dangled $400 before our eyes, saying that we could have that amount of moola if we joined manager-led conference calls four days a week, for a hour. Each day had set intervals, set hours, so we could choose which hour to call in. Using Purple's interpreters. It was obviously bullshit, as we often ran out of things to talk about, and people kept on complaining. A employee missed a hour out of the whole month? Too bad! No $400 for you! Every conference call was a madhouse at the beginning, with tons of employees competing to get into the call, with only ~20 being allowed in with the rest being shut out. So there were plenty of people with other jobs who couldn't fit the hours in their schedule. No money. While the higher-tier employees gathered in the apparent millions handed out by the FCC.
I got no $400 that month of July, naturally. I gave up after three weeks. It was too much. Then the FCC got a whiff of that, and the rest is history.
At a certain major post-secondary deaf-education institution where I work at, everybody tells me, "My MVP is just gathering dust." "What the hell, Purple?" "Screw Purple," and worse. "I bought my Purple Netbook and I haven't used P3!" Yeah.
I've had nearly no income since summer, despite the work I do. And my regional manager has a salary and a nice house and nice luxury car. I'm still on the payroll despite having done no work for a couple months. Nobody has made any effort to encourage me into doing work. All the Vlogs made by Purple's higher-up deaf employees are constant chants of "You want money! You want money!" And they recently cut down contractor pay rates. Instead of $50/conversion, we get $25. Real efficient. Punishing us for the shoddy work of the higher ups. That's not gonna motivate me any better.
Really, Purple? Great use of company resources and manpower. And there are many like me.
lower tier of contractor
All VRS comapnies does that ! Go and hunt a better job. Good luck !
If you have information,
If you have information, including videos, regarding manufactured VRS minutes, run calls, bogus/suspect marketing calls, bogus/suspect conference calls, or similar activity involving any VRS provider, please contact the FCC Office of Inspector General at hotline@fcc.gov. Information can be provided anonymously and will be used for law enforcement purposes only.
BTW, I also thought the
BTW, I also thought the parallel between Concentration Camps to Maria's situation was bit much. Maybe you should consider going easy on the rhetoric next time. Just a suggestion because, it is like others have mentioned, lot of Maria's complaints (like limit numbers of breaks and dress code) is very much a common place in the today's world.
Maria's story may be many things, but all of them are far cry from the attempted genocide of races thought to be genetically inferior.
Anonymous M.
Unionize
One thing that struck me funny is in the 69 comments made on this vlog, nobody brought up the dirty, socialist word: Union.
We, the deaf people of United States, are both the suppliers and costumers of VRS. We fulfill the supply and demand end of the overall marketing strategy of VRS/VP companies. We have insane amount of power within our hands in this case. Moreso if the employees stand together as a union.
After all, VRS companies doesn't make money off distributing the resources we use to access the service (VP, Webcam, etc). Rather, they make money off us using the service they provide. A simple union would give the workers on the lower ends of the economic spectrum (or, according to Ryan Commerson's not-so-reliable estimates (which is understandable because he doesn't have an access to these informations at the time), large majority of deaf workers within the VRS companies. Say what you will about Deaf Community, we are close-knitted group of people who would rush to the aid of our community at the drop of pen. Following this logic, a union, with its massive network and a single communication center would control the supply and demand because any VRS companies that aren't on the side of Union with huge number of Deaf members would, in theory, earn the costumers' ire and lead us to stop using their products in favor of a laundry list of other VRS/VP providers in United States.
So why doesn't the employees of VRS companies create their own Union?
The creation of union would serve to fill all the critical roles of Ryan Commerson's idealistic vision of VRS role in our community. It gives the workers stronger, united voice on how they would like to see the company act within the deaf community, work to break the glass ceiling when it comes to the treatment of deaf people and ASL users who are employed by the said VRS companies, encourage the rise of deaf workers within the company, and give VRS more than one reasons to actively reaching out to the deaf community as opposed to making money off us by shoving the product in our face for free and expecting us to use it.
Time to start thinking of better solutions.
Best,
Anonymous M
Union
I can tell you why nobody brought up the "dirty socialist word, union". Unions in the last 30 years have seriously lost their effectiveness to advocate for their employees. Yes, in the turn of the century, unions were instrumental in helping to pass very important labor laws to protect employees (Fair Labor Standard Act, OSHA, etc) and we owe a lot to unions. Now, in a somewhat competitive employment situation, it is in companies best interest to provide excellent working conditions and fair compensation/benefits.
With a number of companies to work for, the best thing to do is to jump ship and work for another employer. I know that this is easier said than done and it may mean that the person has to move to another location, go back to school for retraining, etc.
Today's unions are mostly about fattening their coffers by desperately adding new members. Union employees make up 13% of the workforce (and that counts the federal unions) and 7-8% of the workforce (without the federal unions) for good reason. Their effectiveness is no more-
Instead, employees need to find a way to bring up their concerns with management. If management shows that they don't care, then walk out. Trust me, unions are not worth it- because they will not look at you as an individual, but as one of many people hopefully who will agree with one voice.
Jerry Nelson and anon on jan 27 at 10:44 am
Jerry Nelson & Anonymous on Jan 27 at 10:44 am
It ain't the question of Purple or Datastar. It is the question of YOU YOURSELF. You eyewitnessed the abuse of deaf employees. You eyewitnessed deaf employees suffering in a crowded room like a crowded cage of pig cage, a crowded cage of hens, a crowded prison of humans (Ryan FINISH SHOW clear pictures as a good example. You eyewitnessed and felt the sweat of deaf employees because of no AC. Yet you didn't report to the authorities that deaf people were treated like pictures that Ryan FINISH SHOW in his vlog. Deaf employees were human beings and could FEEL.
You said you had nothing to do with them becvause you are Purple and they were Datastar. Do you mean that you would not help Haitian people buried in earthquake becvause USA is your home. Are you kidding? You lack sensitivity and responsibility. Don't you feel any pain for Haitian people? If you do, why didn't you feel the same for deaf employees by calling the authorities.
VI Perspective Maria-DataStar-Purple
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lje1X05Pp7c
Maria's work situation
I have seen Maria's complaint about Datastar. She said there were no TRAINING ! Supervisors has no CLEAR communication to Deaf employees. No interpreters. Supervisors screaming at them ??? To Deaf people. Threatening to fire them for little things. That creates hostile work environment. NOBODY wants to work there but they needed money to make a living, raise their kids and pay their bills, taxes, etc. This is a sweatshop. Those hearing people had cozy offices and comfortable rooms to work in but those Deaf workers work in cramped and hot room. I had plenty of experience working in sweatshops in past years. You will not believe the treatment I had recieved from my supervisor or foreman. I get thrown at with a wrench just to get my attention. I get a yelled at and screamed at. I don't understand anything they said except the cuss words of course. I get late from my break which is not my fault cuz I rely on looking at hearing co-workers getting up which means the bell rang but sometimes they didn't cuz the noises were loud that the bell weren't heard. I got shit for it. Get a watch !!! My supervisor told me....but the breaks are on various times and it changes so that wouldn't help me. I was not allowed jewlery or watches at the workplace which contradicts my supervisor's suggestion. It was stressful working there. Of course I didn't stay there I went on to other jobs. It's an abusive behaviour from the supervisor and foreman. I don't see them do that to hearing co-workers which convinced me that Deaf workers were singled out to be vented on. You said it's just work and we are paid to work. Yes but with humane way with training and couresty without alienating them. If they want respect then they have to earn it from us. Respect comes with two way street. If workers are handled with respect and couresty then workers will feel comfortable and they would do a better job. The company or the boss needs the workers to do the work. Workers need job for money. Abuse the workers and they leave...company will have to hire another and train them which costs money and time. Unhappy workers will affect the quality of the job. That's why they form unions to prevent that kind of abuses from the companies.
Purple and Maria
Maria, you need to face reality about common practices in almost all work environements. They are hired to WORK with 2-15 min break and 30 min or 1 hour lunch. Two most common reasons for letting employees go are 1. not getting along with other workers and 2. inappropriate behaviors. Too much talking on job or goofing off are considered inappropriate behaviors. Dress code is common in most work enviornments. Apparently Maria does not understand chain of command. I do not know what role Jerry Nelson has but he is following the procedure based on the chain of command. If Jerry step out of his role, he probably would be dismissed for not staying in his role. Another issue may be lack of any opporuntities to resolve the issues in the work force. I think there is not enough information for us to react appropraitely based on Maria's vlog. I have so many questions about the situation that Maria spoke of.
reply to "Datastar and Jerry.."
"Ryan, I strongly suggest you to contact Purple and GET their side of the story instead of reporting ONLY Maria's story. yes Maria's story is compelling and sad however PURPLE had NO Control over that at all. GET FACTS before you jump the gun and spread false accusations. "
Ryan did this expose story with Datastar with their business with Purple. It had prompted a reaction from Jerry from Purple to do his vlog to explain his side of the story. It worked. Too bad Jerry being a representative to Purple did not explain his job when he was at Datastar to the deaf employees there. That led to misunderstanding and frustration with those Datastar's Deaf employees. That shows arrogant attitude when he was there saying nothing and doing nothing. Of course Datastar did not explain to them why Jerry or Purple was there and what his purpose was. If it was me I would have introduced myself to those Deaf employees and what my job is and what the purpose of the visit are for instead of giving them silent treatment. That would have made a clear understanding and clear communication with those Deaf employees. If that was done then Maria wouldn't have complained about Jerry's behavior at Datastar.
Good job Ryan.
Oh come on!
Maria, welcome to the wonderful world of work (reality) and Ryan, you cannot possibly compare the experiences of the Jewish people during Holocaust to what we go through. They were exterminated in gas chambers, burned alive in ovens, and had horrid living conditions with feces, urine, and diseases around them. Many of us deaf people are living comfortably and we are far better off than those who live in third world countries. In their eyes, even the poor here are rich. VRS is not the only place to get a job, there are other places. Deaf people need to stop using SSI as a crutch and start looking for jobs be it VRS, Gallaudet University, or McDonald's. I have gone through 7 years of rejection, false hopes, and bitter disappointments before I finally got a job. Throughout the 7 years, I've worked oddjobs to help pay the bills and yes, it was very maddening and frustrating. It doesn't mean we should stop looking for jobs, lay back on the recliner, and get free money just because we are entitled to it. I get your point through all your VRS vlogs because I have experienced the frustrations but it doesn't mean ALL hearing people are evil.
Yes and No
while I agree that Purple's involvement with DS was not handled well I think there are some things that should be cleared up.
-There were not "run calls" like we've been hearing about with Viable. These were legit marketing calls. Hearing people sit in the same cramped conditions and make these kinds of calls all day. There's nothing illegal about deaf people doing the same work through VRS.
-Some of Maria's complaints seem understandable. Cramped conditions, hot, no fire escape. Some are just complaining.
She's mad that she only gets two 15 minute breaks and a lunch? That's all anyone gets. If you work 4 hours or less you get one 15 min break. More than 6 hours you get a lunch and a 15. 8 Hours a lunch and two 15 min breaks. It's pretty much the standard in the US.
She's mad that they made her show up on time? Oh no! How terrible. She's mad that they wanted her working not chatting? You go to work to work.
She didn't want to wear dark clothes? Maria's not all that dark. It was hard to follow her story at times because of the glare coming off her hands. Dark clothes would be fine for her.
Finally if she hated the job so much then why was she mad when she got laid off. Now she's free to go get a better job.
Finally, comparing a crappy job to the holocaust is deplorable. You should be ashamed. I've had some bad jobs but I've never compared it to the murder of 6 million people. My family was interned by the US government during WWII and I've never even compared my crappy jobs to their struggle. Seriously, bad move RC.
Purple isn't perfect. They clearly made some mistakes with DS. When it was clear that the program wasn't working they ended it. There was nothing illegal. Clearly DS should have provided better training. I just hope we can focus on the real issues with Purple rather than things that don't really matter or are standard in most jobs in the US.
Reality
First of all, shame on you, Ryan, for posting this vlog and comparing the work conditions to that of a sweatshop. You are the epitome of the crab theory...Purple has always gone above and beyond for the Deaf community.
Secondly, Maria...sadly, welcome to the real world of working. The work is boring, it is monotonous, the bosses are arrogant and the kitchens are small. Miscommunication happens in the real world to hearing people as well. It is not Jerry Nelson's fault, it is not Purple's fault, it is not your fault.
Last, I would like to commend Purple for making positive changes in response to their consumers.
dont condemn Ryan C.
I see Ryan C. did right thing to bring up the concern Have you read many comments in Deaf victim viable since last Jan ? Purple used datastar computer s to identify minutes for deaf employess s time card. They were marketing specialist and worked for Purple. You know that FCC did not allow any VRS companies to bill minutes for marketing activities. I am not going to discuss forever on that issue. I brought up additional comments to that on blogs in deaf victims viable becuaes i realized that Purple had similiar operation as Bonheyo had. I was victimized by Bonheyo company who really cheated and got advantage of over 200 deaf employee. I wanted to clarify about that to emphasize that having marketing department is not innapproriate. I want to end disucssion on that !
correct the sentence
I wanted to clarify about that to emphasize that having marketing department is not innapproriate
i am correcting this sentence I wanted to clarify about that to emphasize that having marketing department is innapproriate >
Purple has no connection
Purple has no connection with Datastar? Check the link, http://datastarlllp.com/id2.html and look at an icon at the lower left corner of the website. Jerry Nelson is a liar and his pants are on fire. So is Purple!
Like Jerry said, Purple
Like Jerry said, Purple continues no business relationship with Datastar after 90th contractual day. I am glad that had to end right there after Purple recognized them making no improvement. I am sure all Deaf employees were aware of this but some chose to stay employing for Datastar.
As for Purple's icon, it does not mean that they are working in partnership specifically the hiring and employing Deaf individuals. It is designed to provide any Deaf/Hard of Hearing customer to contact anyone like the others at Hungry Howies', Piedmont United, etc. See below, you will find the same icon on their websites.
http://www.hungryhowies.com/
http://www.piedmontunitedway.org/
http://www.girlscoutsww.org/aboutus/contact_us
In nutshell, the Purple is dedicated to support Deaf community by gaining a greater access via telecommunication and employment opportunities. I hope every one of you are in agreement with this mission.
Thank you,
Just someone who believes in Deaf rhythm
P.S. Can we use your energy to focus on upward mobility and breaking the glass ceiling?
Shall I say that DataStar...??
I watched Jerry Nelson/Purple Vlog at DeafRead.com...
I think we shall point finger to Data Star... not Purple
Thank Jerry for your time with us and sorry for get you into mess...
Response from Jerry Nelson and Purple
Hello everyone. This is Jerry Nelson, Vice President at Purple Communications. I want to respond to the posts on here that attack Purple and me personally. Anyone who knows me, my professional background and ethics knows that I am a strong advocate for the deaf community, I have worked for many years for deaf access rights, including rights in the workplace. My work at Purple involves working with corporate America to increase workplace accessibility using video relay technology. I am saddened and surprised that persons whom do not even know me are saying horrible things about me. I hope that people that know me, and that know the good team that is leading Purple now, will speak up against these attacks. As for the posts about Purple and the relationship with DataStar, there is a post on the Purple site in response to the rumors and statements being presented here, you can see them at www.purple.us/blog/
Ouch!
Jerry
Thank you for telling your side of the story through your vlog but there are several things that I am kind of confused about.
1. You mentioned in your vlog that you had deaf employees works in a cubicle. Are you implying that you never saw any inappropriate working conditions that Maria described about? If you did saw it, why didn't you report it during your first visit? If you saw a murder happening in a workplace, you would report it immediately instead of waiting to terminate the contract. So why did you wait 90 days or ignored the terrible work conditions during your four visits? You can say it is none of Purple's business because it's Datastar's problem but you should have been a better person to stand up and do something with these poor deaf people suffering there instead of ignoring them.
2. You said that purple hired deaf people for executive positions. How many percent of deaf people work in the executive positions? How come Purple never take the consideration to hire deaf ceo when two of them who are hearing and already left during the past year? The glass ceiling effect?
Lastly, we could tell that you were reading a script when you were doing your vlog. It is like you are being a puppet and telling us what Purple want you to tell us. I would suggest that you tell the truth with straight eye contact instead of beating around the bush.
Admit it...
I'm bewildered Purple did business with Data Star in the first place. This is the crux of my thinking. Purple pumped business in their veins and got out of Data Star's bed when the former had nothing to lose. This is what Purple is known for--mastering the art of saving face. It's no accident they're losing executives and employees not to mention trading on pink sheets nowadays. If Purple are what they say they are they'd be second to none dusting the competition. They're not and it's not happening. I know about Jerry Nelson and his consulting work with The Master Group some years ago. How do I know? I learned John Yeh's Viable Technologies (not to be confused with Viable Communications) used one of Master Group's grants as template for one of its own from the Department of Education's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. How ironic! Remember MVP which is technically vaporware to many people? MVP stands for Manipulating Vulnerable People. I can't trust providers unless they disclose minutes they generate monthly. As long as surcharges funds the industry their businesses needs to be made known to the public. No kidding here!
This the long awaited expose
This the long awaited expose on the VRS industry. Part of the "Big Deaf Complex" is becoming very transparent.
Sorenson Press Release
check this out http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20100114006174&newsLang=en
The link i found from RC's first VRSVlog...
Is Sorenson now wake up?? This Press Release were issued before RC's first VRS Vlog...
Marketing for Sorenson
It looks to me like a marketing scheme more so than training with substance that will lead to successful employment for Deaf students. Sorenson is promoting SVRS in this venture and nothing more.
This is just more spin- all
This is just more spin- all companies are spinning to survive in this industry. We saw Sean's spin on ZVRS with his lengthy letter- it's all well and good, hopefully we will get our facts from unbiased sources soon. The truth shall make us free-
Our Federal Tax go to FCC
RC,
Thank you for your wonderful representative for us all, federal taxpayers.
There are 2 different Federal tax on our phone bills: 1. Universal Connectivity Fee (Universal Service Fund), Federal; and 2. Federal Excise Tax, Federal from this sample phone bills link: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/phonebills/samplePhonebill.html
Gosh, looks like there are no Deaf works for FCC to investigate the VRS Industry! That's a big shame!
We, the federal taxpayers have to pay 3 percents to FCC separately from phone bills which it is from our weekly or bi-weekly pay checks.
Keep up with your good job!
Everyone say VRS providers
Everyone say VRS providers make pile of $$$$.
If we talk about what we could do with the "pot of gold", FCC will think VRS rate is too high, may cut rate accordingly.
We need explain to the world that VI's have unique skills and need to be compensated accordingly.
Then focus on JOBS for deaf people within the VRS companies instead of talking about millions of $$$ for deaf community.
More Frauds?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ervfLVp1Gw
I appreciate Sean Belanger's
I appreciate Sean Belanger's efforts to communicate with RC's viewers. It is quite disappointing that there are plenty of anonymous signers here attacking anything that might move.
Sean, I read your message and I have plenty of questions as well.
Thanks for your post, though.
R-
Yacht
Did you know that Jerry Nelson (VP of Purple) and his wife Nancy Bloch (CEO of National Association of the Deaf) have their very own Yacht?
Yes, its true!!
Who cares?
So what if they have a yacht? We haven't heard Jerry Nelson's side of the story. Remember Purple cut all ties with Datastar after only about 90 days of the partnership with them. It is very possible, like other people mentioned, that he was the person who strongly advocated that the company cut ties with Datastar, who obviously was not treating their Deaf employees well. I am sorry that Maria lost her job, but I think it is better that Datastar cease all involvement with the Deaf community than to put other Deaf people through miserable working conditions.
Let's take everything with a grain of salt and assume that there is more to a story than meets the eye.
Jerry's response
Speak of the devil, as soon as I posted my comments, a new Vlog was posted by Jerry Nelson and Purple to explain their side of the story. Here it is:
http://www.purple.us/blog/2010/01/response-from-jerry-nelson-and-purple/