Heart Break Hill

Heart Break Hill

 

 

As time goes by and circumstances swirl around and you come to grips with difficult circumstances you cannot help comparing where you are now with times and events that have gone before. This was the case this week as the long running industrial dispute that I have become embroiled in seems to be coming to a climax one way or the other.

Many many years ago as a young Lieutenant in the Medical Corps I led a platoon (fifty men, 4 sections, One officer, one sergeant, four full corporals) of medics, nurses,  orderlies, drivers, health odds and sods on a three week jungle warfare course to the back beyond of Tully (The wettest place in Australia) in North Queensland.

Tully

The instructor group were lean, mean and angry infantry grunts of vast experience. On landing I could see their attitude toward this “soft” underbelly of the army was not going to make a pretty situation.

They landed us on a remote airfield cut out of the jungle and bullied us into action. I was instructed to route march (Force march) my platoon into base camp twenty one kilometres away. The first seven k was fairly flat, than there was a large steep hill feature on the map. I asked what this was and its viability. I was told it was nicknamed Heartbreak Hill the track went straight up and over it. Seven K up and seven k down very steep. Their attitude and smirks indicated we were not going to make it!

The soldiers were loaded down with seventy kilogramme's of gear and weapons, the machine gunners more. It was raining on and off and the temperature was humid, hot and tropical.

I will not bore you with the details…But I tell you it was one of the toughest things I have ever done. But we made it in time and with all personnel and equipment. We marched in as a group cohesive and united. The look on those instructors’ faces was one of perplexion and bemusement. It was priceless and one I will never forget. One of the best things I have been involved in.

Looking back on that episode the secret was that the leadership group was committed knew their job and took care of their men, above all else. The soldiers took care of their mates and would never, never leave them behind. As men weakened they carried their gear for them, encouraged and supported them. As minor injuries occurred (sprains, strains, blisters, and heat related) they put them on makeshift stretchers and even carried them. We never gave up on the goal and we never gave up on the fact that we would make it together.

What has this to do with our current situation?

Heroes of the dispute-stop work

They have treated you with contempt they have thought by bullying and intimidating you they can beat you into an unfair agreement. Just like the instructor group of that platoon they do not think you can take it! They underestimate and do not value what and who you are and what you do. They do not know how much you care for each other no matter what you do on the job. They do not know your commitment to each other to the job in hand and to a fair outcome.

You are like that platoon when we reached the top of Heartbreak Hill there was still a way to go, but the end was in sight, it was all downhill and we were going to finish together. Stay together, stay committed. Attend next Thursday the 26^th at Trades Hall, which will coincide with a stop work and take note of what Linda (VHPA) and your delegates are passing onto you. Vote on any resolution that the VHPA may put up and if you have not been involved join in.

Locked Out

 

John Condliffe is the volunteer delegate for medical imaging health professionals at a large public hospital in Melbourne. The department is operated by a large private company. He has been locked out of his work place twice for a total of six weeks along with twelve other who have also been locked out for various periods. The dispute is ongoing although progressing to a possible result soon.

John Condliffe

20.6.14