News and Media

Today, the Private Equity Stakeholder Project (PESP) released a report detailing the private equity duopoly that dominates the FCC-funded Video Relay Service (VRS), a critical translation tool for Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals provided by the federal government, used for facilitating communication with family, medical providers, emergency services, and others. “Lost in Interpretation: Private equity’s capture of a vital sign language translation tool” examines the risks created by private equity ownership of two of the three total VRS companies in the United States – Sorenson Communications, owned by Ariel Alternatives and The Blackstone Group, and ZP Better Together, owned by Kinderhook Industries and backed by The Carlyle Group.

ASL interpreters working with VRS companies have reported difficult working conditions: workers experience high levels of muscular strain, distress, and burnout, leading to high turnover, interpreter shortages and job dissatisfaction. While the FCC increased its reimbursement rates to VRS companies for interpreters to “revitalize” the industry in October 2023, workers at Sorenson and ZP Better Together report that they have not seen that reflected in wages.

OPEIU announces its strong support of Vice President Kamala Harris’ choice of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate.

Walz enhances the ticket's pro-labor bona fides. As governor, Walz signed into law paid sick and medical leave, banned non-compete agreements and provided a raise for rideshare drivers in the state. A former public school teacher and union member, Walz's experience, track record and background make him a strong choice to work alongside Harris.

OPEIU stands behind the Harris-Walz ticket and commits itself to working to defeat Donald Trump and J.D. Vance and their anti-worker “Project 2025” agenda.

The Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU), AFL-CIO, representing approximately 90,000 workers across the United States and Canada, filed an unfair labor practice (ULP) charge Friday against ZP Better Together for their unlawful layoff of 50 workers in February just as workers were meeting with a union and had been organizing against an onerous arbitration agreement. We urge ZP Better Together to rehire those laid-off workers without delay and provide back pay to ensure their intimidatory action doesn't continue to have a chilling effect on labor organizing.