The power of your union
When you join your union, you contribute to a range of support and resources. It means you benefit when you need it, and you help when someone else needs it. This is how as union members, no matter where we work, we are never alone.
In recent months, Translators and Interpreters have had significant success individually and collectively. Here are just some examples of TIA members fighting for what is fair:
- In February this year, we received advice from the Victorian State Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions acknowledging our submission where we argued that T&Is should be eligible for the sick pay guarantee and that they should be considered for inclusion in the scheme. Submissions arguing for inclusion in any future scheme for Portable Long Service Leave have also been made.
- In March, TIA member, Patricia Argüello de Avila, attended a workshop hosted by the Queensland Government where she spoke powerfully about improving pay and conditions for T&I.
- WA members are advocating for LSPs (agencies) who have contracts with Government to provide briefings for interpreters and translators.
- TIA funded a research project that was produced by RMIT and which focuses on the issues facing T&I graduates who want a long-term, financially viable career in their chosen profession. This study contextualises the issues and it provides a strong argument for better pay and conditions in our profession.
- In May this year, Organiser, Niki Baras joined an ACTU led delegation to Canberra where she spoke with MPs about the disadvantages T&I face under Government’s labour hire arrangements.
- TIA is participating in consultations with the Federal Department of Home Affairs as part of Federal Government’s Multicultural Services review, which also includes language services. TIA will be advocating for reforms to build a sustainable language services industry, including improvements to your arrangements with TIS and Services Australia.
- TIA is continuing to push for the Victorian Government’s recommended LanguageLoop transition to employment and an EBA.
- The Federal Government, following much lobbying from unions across the board, has now implemented significant reforms to Fair Work legislation. Our member, Silvia Martinez, joined an ACTU delegation in Canberra in 2022 where she made strong representations for T&I at the preceding Jobs Summit. These reforms stand to create opportunities for change in the T&I sector.
- Following the presentation of a workable proposal, TIA has joined the employer representative, AI Group, in a joint application for an Award for interpreters and translators who currently are not covered by an Award. An Award stands to bring T&I into the Fair Work system, which in turn, creates more opportunities to win better conditions.
This is merely a snapshot of the work we are doing and the success we have had so far. We can and will do more when we work together.