I was taking a look through a variety of contracts under a variety of
federations, and noticed a significant disparity as to working conditions,
particularly as to hours. I think that this is one significant point in
evaluating whether riders should consider their common interests and develop
a common vehicle and format for model employment arrangements. Here are the
relevant provisions for 3 different national federations for vacation time,
which is of interest, I imagine, to any cyclist.
France - 218 days maximum working days, not more than 6 days per week, and
annual leave equal to five working weeks.
South Africa - 278 maximum working days, not more than 6 days per week, and
annual leave equal to 35 calendar days.
USA - maximum days not numerically limited, unless by federal or state
statute, no maximum days per week, working hours are subject to "salaried
employees" provisions of federal and state legislation.
For reasons too evident to state, national holidays are potential working
days, not otherwise provided for.
So yes, it is obvious why France has not produced a winning population of
riders, if this is the working environment. Nonetheless, there is no
uniformity to be expected by a rider upon transfer from one contractual
jurisdiction to another. I just think that those who fail to see the
fragility of racers' employment situations also fail to understand why they
are encouraged to seek out means of doing beyond their best, regardless of
what their contracts provide.
Much of this appears to me to reflect the type of job insecurity that is
promoted by global companies, which can choose where to employ people by
comparing labor costs (where labor is the dominant basis for their revenues.
I don't imagine there are a lot of readers here who really care, but the
issue keeps me busy.
--
Sandy
--
Il n'est aucune sorte de sensation qui soit plus vive
que celle de la douleur ; ses impressions sont sûres,
elles ne trompent point comme celles du plaisir.
- de Sade.