How algorithms wreaked havoc with these workers' schedules and cut their pay

Interpreter Yves Valerus speaks at a LanguageLine press conference in front of New York City Hall in April. LanguageLine interpreters have had their hours drastically cut after the company said it experienced fewer customer demand and started using new scheduling software. Some workers are trying to organize a union. Huo Jingnan/NPR hide caption toggle caption Huo Jingnan/NPR For a year and a half, Yves Valerus was working a stable, full time job with a regular weekly schedule, a set hourly rate and benefits. The Haitian Creole-English interpreter helps people bridge language barriers over the phone during people's hospital visits, court proceedings and the like. But in 2025, Valerus's hours were cut and became fragmented and unpredictable after her employer experienced a business downturn and started using new scheduling software. By the end of the year, her pay was almost 20% less than the prior year. As a single mother supporting three children based in Brooklyn, Valerus had to make some tough financial decisions, including prioritizing her internet bill over paying for utilities because she works remotely. She had to work harder to save on food. "I would go an extra three miles to get something on sale that I really need when I have a market right down the block from my house." To try to counter these changes, Valerus and some of her fellow workers are trying to unionize with the Communications Workers of America. …