DIARY OF A GRANDFATHER

The Impossible Dream

I have already said that I was naïve when I volunteered to be a union delegate (VHPA) at a large radiology site in a large public hospital. I did not know how naive! I had a vision a dream of working with management and staff in reaching an agreement for improving working conditions and the work place more as a partner than as adversary. I believed we could make this place really better, it would work better for everyone.  I was driven not by gain (I am on the cusp of retirement and work part time) but by a desire to help and the belief that I had something to offer.

After over a year of frustrating and fractious negotiations my naivety was gone and along with it the dream. The dream of a better place had turned into the night mare of disagreement and industrial action. One can only come to an agreement if both sides are prepared to negotiate and compromise in good faith. It was not lacking from our side but was completely absent on theirs.

I along with seven other were locked out of our work places (nearly four weeks for six of us) no pay no comeback. Industrial action and campaigning began in earnest. I was in the thick of it and played some small part. All through these dark days I played a song, a classic which helped me through the dark times, the lonely times, the frustrating times, the doubt times, the …….

 

It’s from Man of La Mancha and captures the heart of what it is to be on a quest after an impossibility a dream. To follow it no matter what, no matter the cost, because it is the right thing to do, and because it will make our place a better place. This song captures my experiences, my motivations and my dream .

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&list=RDnFTrwuA5W8w&v=nFTrwuA5W8w

View the Video Richard and Adam singing The Impossible Dream

 

Lyrics by Joe Darion


To dream ... the impossible dream ...
To fight ... the unbeatable foe ...
To bear ... with unbearable sorrow ...
To run ... where the brave dare not go ...
To right ... the unrightable wrong ...
To love ... pure and chaste from afar ...
To try ... when your arms are too weary ...
To reach ... the unreachable star ...

This is my quest, to follow that star ...
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far ...
To fight for the right, without question or pause ...
To be willing to march into Hell, for a Heavenly cause ...

And I know if I'll only be true, to this glorious quest,
That my heart will lie will lie peaceful and calm,
when I'm laid to my rest ...
And the world will be better for this:
That one man, scorned and covered with scars,
Still strove, with his last ounce of courage,
To reach ... the unreachable star ...

 

Here are my interpretations on the words.

To dream ... the impossible dream ... For a better workplace for all (including the company) and better conditions …
To fight ... the unbeatable foe ... The Company we fight is huge and ruthless…
To bear ... with unbearable sorrow ...To cope with the disappointments and frustrations with fortitude and forbearance…
To run ... where the brave dare not go ...Not many people choose this path…
To right ... the unrightable wrong ...To fix up what is undoubtable wrong…
To love ... pure and chaste from afar ...To bear no malice to my foes or those who have failed me…
To try ... when your arms are too weary ...There are many times I was so tired of it all…
To reach ... the unreachable star ... The goal seems so far away…

This is my quest, to follow that star ... I have to keep on going…
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far ... Sometimes it just seemed hopeless…
To fight for the right, without question or pause ... I believe in this with all my heart…
To be willing to march into Hell, for a Heavenly cause ... Sometimes I was in uncomfortable place…

And I know if I'll only be true, to this glorious quest,…I have to stay the course, even if I lose, I win…
That my heart will lie will lie peaceful and calm,
when I'm laid to my rest ... …I have to follow my truth if I am to have true peace, what is a man if he has no principles…
And the world will be better for this: …The world, my world will be better if I follow my principles…
That one man, scorned and covered with scars, …This experience has scarred,marked me…
Still strove, with his last ounce of courage, …I have to put everything into it, no matter the cost…
To reach ... the unreachable star ...I have to believe we will get there in the end…

 

 

Dedicated to my fellow delegate Scott (one of the bravest fellows I have ever met)

And to my fellow “lock outs” An, Kris, Christian, Doris, Gerard and Elsa.

And to Mathew and Sarah delegates who did the hard yards at the work place while I was locked out.

And to all you who put yourself in harm’s way for your fellow workers.

And to you my mates and friends at work.

And to our families who bore much of the material and human cost.

 

Note:The company has agreed to re-enter negotiations and has returned to the negotiating table with the delegates and the VHPA.

John Condliffe

7.4.14