LONG BEACH _ Interpreters are emerging as one of the focal points for the future of The Newspaper Guild-Communications Workers of America, officials from CFI’s parent union said during the Western District Council meeting this weekend.

To better focus on that growing membership contingent, the union plans to create an organizing institute specific to interpreter activists and build a national hub for advocacy, training and community building among language service professionals, TNG President Bernie Lunzer said.

“It’s important that we have interpreters within our sector,” Lunzer said during the Western District Council meeting hosted by the Pacific Media Workers Guild.

TNG-CWA already represents medical interpreters in Minnesota and court interpreters in Cook County along with more than 900 members from the California Federation of Interpreters. In fact, interpreters account for the largest unit of the Pacific Media Workers Guild.

There’s also room to grow. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment of interpreters and translators to increase faster than other occupations.

CFI President Michael Ferreira, Southern California Vice President Rebeca Vera and staff representatives attended the meeting and forged connections with Grace Catania, chair of the court interpreters unit from the Chicago Newspaper Guild  and Santiago Morgan, chair of the medical interpreters unit from the Minnesota Newspapers and Communications Guild.