The Guardian 14 December, 2005
Worth Cycling For
Pedal power joined the Your Rights At Work campaign on a 350km journey to take a
message to Canberra's politicians. Sydney bus driver Narelle Sinclair was so worried about
the Howard Government's industrial relations reforms that she got on her bike and rode
from Sydney to Canberra.
She was joined by over 50 other riders on the road; taking the message to the nation's capital:
rights at work are worth fighting for.
Ms Sinclair is no stranger to riding long distances for a good cause.
In May 2005, she organised a bike ride from Sydney to Melbourne to raise money for CanTeen, a
national support organisation for young people living with cancer.
"I have become more and more anxious about the proposed reforms to our industrial system", she
said before the riders departed from Parramatta on a steamy Saturday last month. "If the Howard
Government is successful in dismantling the industrial system who will then protect our conditions
and who will ensure there is a fair safety net in place for Australian workers."
Battling 35 degree heat, the riders headed off for the first stage, travelling 150 kilometres on the
steady climb to Moss Vale.
They were accompanied on the road by a support team in the distinctive, orange Unions NSW
Your Rights At Work tour bus.
"The bus kept me honest", says Dan Walton, who at 22 was one of the youngest riders on the
tour.
"I remember riding up a hill about 80 kilometres out of Sydney and another rider came past and
asked how old I was.
"When I told him I was 22 he said 'I'm 68, you'll be all right' and then he powered on
past!"
For Dan Walton, everyone helping each other out embodied the spirit of the ride. The Your Rights
At Work slogan "Stronger Together" became a living motto shared by all the
participants.
"If a rider stopped for any reason no one passed without offering help", said Bob Carcary from the
Electrical Trades Union. "It was a pleasure to be able to support the cause and to help others who
needed support.
"It was such a good ride I wished we could keep going."
The riders came from a wide range of unions and occupations, including electricians, construction
workers, police officers, teachers and fire fighters, even being joined by federal Labor member for
Parramatta, Julie Owen.
They were greeted along the way by union activists at stopovers in Moss Vale, Goulburn and
Queanbeyan and received support from passing motorists.
After four days the riders arrived at Parliament House in Canberra.