By DIANE WILLIAMS

More than 170 Court Reporters, Interpreters and Clericals in Local 1070 rebooted their skills at a two-day court recess training at DC 37 headquarters in lower Manhattan on Dec. 28 and 29.

After Local 1070 and the Unified Court System agreed to extend the benefit beyond the expired contract, they agreed to open the training sessions to state employees who were mandated to use comp time or annual leave during the courts’ December recess.

“The turnout was great and we heard from legal professionals on a range of topics our members encounter every day on the job,” said President Fausto Sabatino. “We even brought in a presenter our members wanted to hear from again—back by popular demand.”

The training highlights included sessions led by Sandra Bryan, retired state coordinator of Court Interpreters. Court Interpreters Lionel Bajana, Ricardo Fernandez, and Hermes Mena volunteered their expertise in presentations at the seminar.

Gloria Long discussed interviewing techniques and other communication skills. Kathryn Sweeney led a Court Reporters boot camp seminar, and Mirabai Knight introduced CART, a new technology for the hearing impaired.

At his presentation Followership and Leadership Traits and Principles, Supervising Court Reporter and author Colin Yorke said, “We are in the people business. We memorialize the court record, provide transcripts and assist in administrating justice for New Yorkers.”

Workshops on time management, conflict resolution, trauma, career development and financial planning were well-attended. Umesh Passi, secretary-treasurer of the local, coordinated the training sessions along with Vice President Michelle Lumpkin and Steve Schwartz.

“We thank everyone who participated and look forward to continuing this training in years to come,” said Lumpkin. “The members took away information that improved their skills and will continue to help the justice system run.”