Annual General Meetings for General Union branches kicked off this past week ahead of the union-wide Annual General Meeting on May 17. The Language Industry Independents (LII) branch was among the first to meet, bringing together workers from across the language industry to discuss the reality of working conditions and what can be done to change them.

For many in the industry, problems like unpaid work, unclear expectations, and unstable contracts are treated as individual issues to deal with alone. But what came through clearly in this meeting is that these are shared problems, experienced across companies and workplaces.

A major focus of the discussion was unpaid work and overtime. Members described being expected to complete tasks outside of paid hours, from lesson preparation and administrative work to travel between workplaces and participation in events. While these situations often feel difficult to challenge individually, they become much more actionable when workers recognize that they are not alone.

At the same time, the meeting looked ahead to how the branch can grow stronger in the coming year. Members discussed the importance of building connections between workers, creating spaces to meet and share experiences, and developing a more active and engaged membership that can support organizing efforts across workplaces.

What stood out most was a shared understanding that identifying problems is only the first step. Real change comes from workers getting involved, organizing together, and turning ideas into action.

With the union-wide AGM approaching, now is the time for members to step forward and help shape the direction of the union in the coming year.

If you work in the language industry and are dealing with issues like unpaid work, unstable contracts, or lack of transparency, you’re not alone – and you don’t have to handle it alone.

The union is active, growing, and organizing. If you’re ready to move beyond dealing with problems on your own, now is the time to get involved.