1. Presentation Prepatory meeting Social dialogue in sport
Paris
9th and 10th of September
Yves Kummer 1

2. Content Introduction EEAA/EU athletes Background EU athletes
Objectives EU athletes
Objective and program coming 2 days
Introduction all present players association 2

3. EEAA European Elite Athletes Association founded in january 2007
SICO: Peter Hagsberg
SP.IN: Walter Palmer
PRA: Damian Hopley
NL Sporter: Frederieke Leeflang
NL Sporter: Yves Kummer 3

4. History 1992 foundation AC Dutch Olympic Committee
1996 Seminar AC: Commercialisation on sport
2000 European Seminar: “position of the athlete in Europe”
26 representatives from 14 countries
2001 Seminar EOC in Rome and founding of AC EOC
2002 Founding NL Sporter
2003 Seminar in Rotterdam: Social dialogue in Sports
15 representatives from 13 countries 4

5. European Seminar: “position of the athlete in Europe”
Recommendations
European Seminar: “position of the athlete in Europe”
2000 5

6. Legal and financial status of the Athlete in Europe
The legal and image rights of Athletes should be protected
There should be a minimum income for full time top Athletes, based on nationally defined criteria
A minimum disability fund and retirement fund is needed
The taxation of sporting income should be harmonised internationally
Athletes are entitled to information from the federations and NOC.
Athletes should have the right to independent counselling.
Athletes have the obligation to support their sport, federation, NOC. 6

7. Working conditions in relation to Athletes
There should be a review and definition of workloads and -conditions for athletes in Europe.
Adult Top Athletes should not be governed by laws concerning workload, (except for doping), but young athletes must be protected.
There should be an Athlete-influenced competition/tournament/event programme that is co-ordinated at Club, National and International level.
There should be regulation of outside influences.
All Athletes must have access to high quality, independent Medical (and other) advice 7

8. Dependent and perhaps undesired relationships surrounding Athletes
Solutions need to be athlete centred with Athlete representation at all levels
Definition of the roles of the coach and all people surrounding the athlete
Establish an independent democratic advisory body for athletes
Facilitate an ongoing process of information and education of the athletes and other related parties 8

9. Doping
More out-of-competition-control and more efficient methods of analysis help to fight doping.
The health of the athletes is the central issue, education must be the forefront of doping prevention
The quantity and the level of the international doping- control-program should be harmonised (WADA) and supported by international authorities such as TAS/CAS
There is a necessity for governmental help and/or EU- regulation in doping issues, but sport should keep the lead
The contents of food and supplements have to be fully listed on the label. More information must be available for athletes, coaches and doctors
International harmonisation of the system of sanctions and of law. Athletes have to be involved. 9

10. Athlete participation in the decision making process
Athletes should be closer to, or ideally intimately involved in decisions which affect them
A legitimate and strong athlete voice requires a legitimate and strong structure
Athletes must endeavour to support and enhance existing athlete structures and seek partnerships which add to their experience
The aims and objectives of athletes may, in the long term, be best served by the creation of a truly independent athlete organisation 10

11. EU Athletes established 200711

12. Objective EU athletes
Exchange information with the purpose if strengthen the position of the members
- study best practices of the members
- discuss social dialogue on a National level
Representation at the European level at the EU and other European sport organizations thus allowing elite athletes to speak with one voice towards governing bodies
To promote and engage in social dialogue with European federations, sport employers and organizations
To provide support to each others individual members in countries where there is no union and promote establishment of independent athlete organizations in countries where they do not exist 12

13. Why now ? Writing of white paper by EU
EU has strong influence in the future on sport EU legislation
Awareness that only combination of local, European and international level can change/influence position of the athlete 13

14. E.U Parliament paper (2005) lists the following options for developing sports policy without specific competence
Case by Case
Soft Law
Social Dialogue
Treaties
Block Exemptions 14

15. Alternatives recommended
Case by Case
Soft Law
Social Dialogue 15

16. Recommends Block Exemptions from E.U. law for sport institutions
“INDEPENDENT”?
Recommends Block Exemptions from E.U. law for sport institutions 16

17. EU Athletes contribution
Case by Case - EU Athletes members coordinate on individual cases to expand rights of athletes
Soft Law - Contribute as a stakeholder in the White Paper process
Social Dialogue - Fulfill role as employee Social Partner
Creative Labor Actions to demonstrate solidarity 17

18. Project social dialogue
EU Athletes has receives subsidy for project on social dialogue in Europe: Preparation for Social dialogue for Elite athletes within the EU
September 07
preparatory meeting in Paris
October 07 – February 08
working groups
Visits EU and other organizations
March 08
Seminar in Amsterdam
May 08
Report 18

19. Objective project
Organize and structure athletes voice towards the EU and other social partners
Create a social partner that meets the requirements for social dialogue 19

20. Established in the E.C. Treaty (Art 138, Art. 139)
Social Dialogue
Established in the E.C. Treaty (Art 138, Art. 139)
Social Dialogue Committees (25 current committees - including Aviation, Banking, etc)
Participant requirements (organized at European level, representative and empowered to negotiate agreements, organizationally able to fulfill role as a social partner)
Tasks (Recommendations, Agreements, Consultation obligation) 20

21. Why are we here in Paris? Meeting goals
Meet each other - Build a Network
Exchange information
Discuss our common issues
Communicate positions to stakeholders and the European Union
Joint letter to EC and press release 21

22. Exchange case information and build case database
Case by Case
Workshop 1 - Labor Law
Exchange case information and build case database 22

23. Soft Law = White Paper= “Coubertin” Action Plan Workshop 2 - Europe/Social Dialogue
Player’s Agents
Protection of Minors
Doping
Corruption, Money Laundering and other financial crimes
Licensing systems
Media (solidarity mechanisms for equitable distribution of income)
Structured dialogue with sport stakeholders
Social Dialogue
Others to be suggested by participants 23

24. Sunday 13.00 Introduction and background EEAA
13.30 Introduction attendants
14.30 Bus leaves for rugby match
Drinks and snacks for own account
18.30 Bus back to hotel
20.00 dinner
20.30 Lecture: social dialogue and white paper in football by Tony Higgins
22.00 The end 24

25. Monday 9.00 – 9.45 presentation White paper by EU (Andrzej Rogulski)
8.00 – breakfast
9.00 – presentation White paper by EU
(Andrzej Rogulski)
9.45 – discussion
10.15 – workshop session I
11.15 – workshop session II
12.00 – Lunch
13.00 – presentation and discussion workshops
14.00 – The road to Amsterdam
The END 25

26. NL Sporter 26

27. NL Sporter Yves Kummer: president NL Sporter Founded 2002
400 members, spread over 20 sports
218 cases
Starting to initiate sections (ice skating, field hockey)
Biggest problems
Not being recognized as counterpart
Finance to set up decent organization
Pit bull strategy (athletes are careful) 27