The Community and Public Sector Union has today labelled the Albanese Labor Government’s commitment to transitioning fifty workers in the Translating and Interpreting Service workforce to secure, ongoing APS jobs, as a win for workers, secure jobs and public service delivery.
The Translating and Interpreting Service is a crucial public service that provides access to government programs and services, regardless of cultural, linguistic, or religious backgrounds. TIS workers translate into over 150 languages and ensure that language is no barrier to access to government services, including during the pandemic, bushfires and floods.
CPSU members who work in the Translating and Interpreting Service have seen firsthand the downturn of workplace culture and morale as insecure work increased to a point where less than 20% of roles were secure APS jobs.
The conversion of labour hire employees in the Translating and Interpreting Service Contact Centre, to APS employees will not only benefit those workers, but those who access and rely on this service now and into the future.
The TIS phone interpreting service is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year for the cost of a local call for any person or organisation in Australia who needs an interpreter.
Quotes attributable to Brooke Muscat, CPSU National President:
“The CPSU has fought for many years to end the overreliance on outsourcing and labour hire in the APS because of the adverse impacts on employees, workplaces, and public service delivery.
“Our members who work in the Translating and Interpreting Service have seen firsthand the downturn in workplace culture and morale as insecure work increased to a point where less than 20% of roles were secure APS jobs.
“The work of TIS is vital, ongoing and non-negotiable, and their staffing levels and arrangements should be the same.
“Transitioning 50 roles in the Translating and Interpreting Service workforce to secure, ongoing APS jobs, is a win for workers, secure jobs and public service delivery.
“It is vital that government services and programs are accessible for all, and part of ensuring that is providing an effective and efficient Translating and Interpreting Service.
“The CPSU and our members in TIS welcome the Government’s commitment to transitioning employees in TIS across to secure, ongoing APS employment and look forward to continuing this good work right across the APS.
