Dear Colleagues and Esteemed Professionals,

As interpreters, we serve an indispensable function in bridging linguistic gaps, thereby ensuring effective communication and fostering collaboration across diverse languages and cultures. Despite the critical nature of our work, our profession faces significant challenges, particularly concerning the recognition and equitable remuneration that we justly deserve.

Over the past six years, there has been a discernible stagnation in our pay rates, notwithstanding the escalation of our responsibilities and the substantial increase in the cost of living. Our union membership and collective advocacy efforts have, regrettably, not yielded the desired improvements in our professional standing and compensation.

To address these pressing issues and advocate for meaningful change, We are initiating an online petition to galvanize support from our colleagues, fellow interpreters, translators, and allies. The objectives of this petition are to amass signatures from interpreters and translators, thereby presenting a unified front to highlight the following critical points:

1. Equitable Compensation: Our remuneration has remained static for six years, with certain rates even experiencing reductions. This situation imposes undue strain on our profession, given the current cost of living and the rising expenses for fuel and maintenance. Certified interpreters invest significant resources into ongoing professional development, accreditation, and membership dues. Therefore, we call for an urgent revision and increase in pay rates to reflect the current economic climate in Australia and the growing demand for our expertise, rather than outdated rates from a decade ago.

2. Professional Recognition: We seek formal acknowledgment of our profession, recognizing interpreters' essential role in facilitating effective communication across various sectors.

3. Union Engagement: We urge our union to actively engage with relevant stakeholders to address our concerns, negotiate on our behalf, and advocate for improved working conditions.

4. Transparent Communication: We request the establishment of transparent and open communication channels with relevant authorities to discuss and negotiate our working conditions.

To support this cause, I kindly request your signature on this petition and encourage you to share it within our professional community. Your endorsement will amplify our collective voice, demanding fair recognition and enhanced working conditions for our profession.

Let us unite to effect the positive change we rightfully deserve. Together, we can make a meaningful difference.