VI Perspective Maria-DataStar-Purple
January 29, 2010 - 8:27pm — gglucas71
Former Purple video interpreter (Gina) shares perspective on Maria-Datastar-Purple subject from Ryan Commerson's Blog at: http://signcasts.com/node/260.
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I am a current Purple VI who may soon be unemployed
I have worked for Purple since 2006. When all of the DataStar calls started, I was interpreting only in Spanish, so I did not join in the fun until close to the end, when management decided that I was needed to process English calls again, instead of only Spanish (must have hired more Spanish interpreters or something, I don't know). I was unaware that there was a relationship between Purple and DataStar, and so it did not occur to me that there might be any sort of dirty business going on. I only did DataStar calls for a few weeks before the program was terminated, so I did not develop the rapport with the callers that some other interpreters did. Therefore, I was not as informed as Gina seems to be now. But I am learning, and I do not like what I'm learning.
Here is the current situation for me: my pay has been drastically reduced, and my job may disappear tomorrow. So many of the interpreters in my area work for Purple, and we are all in the same boat, and now we are all competing for the same freelance work to make up for what we're losing at Purple. It's frustrating. And yet, I have a college education, I speak three languages, and I have other skills that are in demand. Even if I end up losing my home (which is definitely possible and something I'm preparing for), I will eventually come out ok. Add to that the fact that I'm hearing, and therefore not subject to the discrimination and barriers that Deaf employees face, and I just feel sick about what happened to the Deaf people.
When I got the email a week ago that my job may disappear, I believed Purple's explanation of why. Honestly, I have so much else to focus on in my life that I generally don't pay very close attention to politics, scandals, and rumors. I just do my job as well as I can and go home at the end of the day feeling good about that. But this week has been eye-opening to me, and I am so disturbed by all of this that I can't imagine staying with Purple even if they don't go out of business.
I did not realize the conditions at DataStar. Although there were some parts of Maria's story that I have a hard time sympathizing with (listen, I was a telemarketer once, and the job sucks no matter what your hearing status -- when I was 17 I worked for three months in a tiny room with no a.c., in ARIZONA, just ceiling fans and lots of tank tops), I can't imagine working for a company that used Deaf people like that while claiming to be advocates. And I can't work for a company that knew for SIX MONTHS that one day I might lose my source of income and never though to give me a heads up. I can't work for a company that knew they were operating, if not outside the law, than at least at odds with the spirit of it, and that knew it was possible some day they'd have to pay the piper, and that now wants to take the piper's payment out of my paycheck.
But what am I going to do? I'm listed with every agency in my state, and every time I get a message that there is work available, by the time I hit 'reply', it's taken. I speak Spanish in a border state, and I can't even find enough work as a Spanish interpreter. If Purple goes down -- or maybe I should say, when -- then I will most likely lose my house. So, believe me, I know how those Deaf employees felt when they got that email.
But I still don't know what I'm going to do about my mortgage. If Purple had been content to provide what they claimed to provide -- high-quaity interpreters and a Deaf-centric company -- then, while they'd probably be smaller than they are, not only would I still have a job, but I'd still feel proud of where I work.
When I started, I was proud of Purple. I was proud that I had to be interviewed by multiplIe people to evaluate my interpreting abilities before I could work here -- I think that should always be the case when hiring interpreters. I was proud to see so many Deaf employees in mid- and upper-level positions. I was proud of Purple, and now I'm embarrassed of it. I've been wanting to leave for awhile, but, where am I going to go? That's what I keep trying to figure out. It's really hard to have principles in this economy. But I think I'd rather default on my mortgage than on my morals.
DS not Really a Scam.
The Datastar-Purple partnership was not a scam. I worked for Purple as a VI and while the DS calls were a pain in the neck they were legit. Maria had a a bad experience. So did many VIs but the program was legit. After 90 days it was shown to be a failure and it stopped. It's not Purple's fault people were fired just as it wasn't Purple's success that they were hired. Sometimes work sucks. It happens. If it was fun they wouldn't have to pay us. The problems at DS were their own. That said many of Maria's complaints were pretty silly. I.e. they made come to work on time and then she only got two 15 minute breaks and a 30 minute lunch. Oh the horror! welcome to the real world.
Very interesting
Very interesting perspective, GIna. Seems further discussion should be in order about this Data Star company and Purple VRS. Thx for an insightful vlog! ;)
As former Purple VI, I agree
As former Purple VI, I agree with and can attest to EVERYTHING Gina expressed in her vlog. All former and current Purple VIs KNOW of the devious deceptions (such as DataStar) Purple used in order to accumulate billable minutes ($$) in the name of 'providing equality & employment for Deaf people'. Let me tell you, as a Purple VI interpreting Data Star calls, I spent HOURS each day interpreting for Deaf Data Star employees. And as a result of seeing the same folks every single day, several hours a day, five days a week--you get to know each other and develop an amiable working rapport with each other. It was a strange thing knowing that we, the VI and Deaf Data Star employee, equally knew that this Data Star thing created by Purple was a complete scam but felt compelled and helpless to abide Purple's dictate in order to keep our jobs.
I am not disgruntled ex-Purple employee; actually, I feel rather relieved and my conscious is lighter knowing that I don't have to interpret these scams and lies in order to make money for the company I work for. My concern is for all of the former Deaf Data Star employees who got the rug pulled out from under them and were used as Purple's poster children who were used as a cover-up to their ploys to take advantage of the system. How did this wonderful thing known as Video Relay turn into such an ugly unethical scheme to steal millions of dollars meant to used for equal access/communication for Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL users?? If there was such a thing as an FCC "10 Most Wanted VRS Criminals list", Purple would top out at number one for the amount of lies and deceit used in order to steal millions of our federal dollars. The other VRS hacks who were caught at least admitted to their wrong doings, but Purple is still getting away with the duping the public into believing that they had nothing to do with the entity known as Data Star (as well as other similar scams) when in fact they masterminded it, denied it, covered it up, and got millions of $$ 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 tried 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 line their pockets with our federally funded dollars .
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! Good luck and take care of yourselves! :)
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.
Gina...
Please disclose if you worked for Sorenson (in Austin) and Viable in addition to Purple. As a former customer of both services, especially Viable VRS and Viable's community interpreting program, you look more than very familiar.
Clarification
I'm saying as a former customer. Not saying you're a former customer :)
DataStar/Purple/Gina
To begin with DataStar and Purple, Purple has no business telling DataStar how to run the business. DataStar is the one who did that to the deaf people. Bark at DataStar.
Based on what I see on this vlog, a former disgruntled employee of Purple cries.
Denial
It appears that in the recipe for disaster you are the ingredient "denial".
Purple
FYI http://www.purple.us/blog/2010/01/response-from-jerry-nelson-and-purple/
Purple
Yes, I am aware of Jerry's response... that is why I made the vlog... I was disappointed that Purple didn't take some accountability for the DataStar debacle.
I'm disgusted and I am
I'm disgusted and I am removing the P3 software from my laptop. I am not going to stop here. I am going to spread the words. Oh know what's hilarious?? Purple's new features including the flash... is a big joke!! $59. ?? what a joke!
Support Convo Relay!!!!!!!!
Support Convo Relay
You mean Convo, owned by some of the people who ran Hawk and still owe a bunch of terps a bunch of money? How are they any better? Support no one!
A good point, Gina. I find
A good point, Gina. I find it is unbelievable that the system is trying to make a profit from those who knows sign language.
Its nice to know that
Its nice to know that Sorenson's minute generating tactics are being copied.
My verdict:
Is Viable the ONLY one company that doing a dirty laundry? Answer: a big NO!!! no further discussion!