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British MEP disrupts European Parliament to back striking interpreters

One of the European Parliament interpreters who are spending longer in their booths (Getty)
One of the European Parliament interpreters who are spending longer in their booths (Getty)

Debate at the European Parliament was unexpectedly interrupted today when a group of MEPs switched off the microphones in support of industrial action by interpreters.

Labour’s MEP for the North West of England, Theresa Griffin, was among a dozen politicians who marched on the Parliament’s control room to cut the electricity to the microphones.

They then “occupied” the room to prevent technicians from turning the power back on, which resulted in the Parliament’s plenary sitting being suspended for half an hour.

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Bulgarian prime minister Boyko Borisov had been waiting to speak at the time.

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When power was restored, European Parliament president Antonio Tajani said the outage “went on too long” because MEPs were “acting as if they were trade unionists.”

“The negotiations are between the administration and the interpreters and it’s not incumbent on them to intervene,” said the Italien MEP.

Labour MEP Theresa Griffin was among the group who took part in the action to support striking interpreters (European Parliament)
Labour MEP Theresa Griffin was among the group who took part in the action to support striking interpreters (European Parliament)

Interpreters are crucial to the working of the Parliament, ensuring debates are available in all 24 official languages of the EU.

European Parliament general secretary Klaus Welle wants the interpreters to spend eight hours a day in their translation booths, rather than the current seven.

Interpreters say that is too long to do such an intensive job and have been “on strike” for the past 29 days.

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They’re also unhappy about the length of time they have to work during night sittings and cuts to their lunch break.

However, the interpreters have been “requisitioned” by the Parliament – meaning they are obliged to keep working during the industrial action.

That has limited interpreters to reading statements about the situation during debates and expressing their unhappiness by displaying posters on the windows of their booths.

Left-wing MEPs who cut the microphones today say their right to strike is not being respected and have set up a cross-party group to support them.

French Green MEP José Bové said: “A negotiation must be opened so that the interpreters can work in conditions worthy of their mission.”

But some British MEPs aren’t so sympathetic with the interpreters’ cause.

“Spoilt interpreters should stop throwing their toys out of the pram and show some humility,” said UKIP MEP Raymond Finch recently.

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