Why can’t the committees, task forces, work groups, member sections and state affiliate chapters engage in collective bargaining on behalf of members?

Price fixing is illegal under antitrust law. Economic competitors cannot come together and agree on a price they will charge for their goods or services. For example, gasoline stations are prohibited from getting together and deciding how much to charge for a gallon of gas. Interpreters in independent practice in a particular market area are viewed as economic competitors. Thus, they cannot agree, through RID committees, task forces, work groups, member sections, or state affiliate chapters, on a price that they will charge for their services.

It is important to note that individual interpreters are always free to set their own rates or decide what rates they will or will not accept. Individual interpreters are also free to access and consider the published rates of other interpreters in setting their own rates.  It is only when they act in concert with competing interpreters that antitrust law comes into play.

Unions have the protection of the “labor law exemption” to antitrust laws and, therefore union members, who would otherwise be viewed as competitors, may engage in concerted activities through their bargaining unit without raising concerns about antitrust violations.  RID and groups acting within its organizational structure are not unions and do not have the benefit of such an exemption.