In episode number 14 of ONE Conversation, The Making of an Activist, Fiona Dunne talks to Donna Hyland, a nurse activist with the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation and the
secretary of the Castlebar Council of Trade Unions. Like all conversations in this podcast, they discuss the power of activism for positive change, the driving factors in her activism and what
keeps her motivated.
It begins with Donna recounting her time as a student nurse and how the impact of the decision to make significant cuts to the pay of student interns, drove many, including her, to take a stand against what was seen as a hugely unfair and disproportionate action. Not only was it unfair, but the process by which this decision was made, without consultation, negotiation or participation with those most affected, was something which grated against her and encouraged her to make her voice heard.
Her activities started small, lunch time protests at the hospital, and quickly escalated into more significant actions and participation within the union, which she describes as a really safe space in which to have real discussions about work, working conditions and the environment in which her and her colleagues work. She talks about being a committed community activist because of her pride in where she lives, the benefits to everyone by caring enough to be involved and her belief that she can and should make a positive contribution where she works and lives. Her dedication to those things that matter, the people in your life, are what continues to motivate and drive her to keep going. She talks about the importance of the workplace representative in linking workers to the union, providing information but above all empowering workers to resolve the issues they have within their own workplace.
She is also passionate about rejuvenating the role of the Trades Councils and has been hugely active in re-establishing the Castlebar Council of Trade Unions which seeks to raise awareness amongst the general trade union movement and become a resource to support union campaigns locally. She talks about the realisation that individuals can make positive change and how empowering it is to be “the person at the decision-making table”. Her message during this conversation is that decisions are made every day of the week without the direct participation of those who are directly affected so it is important to identify how to make your voice heard and be included in those decision-making processes, whether they are in work, the community or wider society.
If you want to get involved in your workplace or your community, then this podcast is for you, Donna makes some very interesting points and provides great guidance if you are new to activism. Inspired to make change? Then have a listen and take action. You and your fellow workers will be glad you did.