Warum sich Gewerkschaften um Mega-Sportevents kümmern sollten. Gewerkschaftliche Organisierung im Umfeld der Fußballweltmeisterschaften 2006 in Deutschland und 2010 in Südafrika

Abstract

Abstract Why should Trade Unions pay Attention to Mega Sports Events? In this article the authors trace the development of mega sports events as big business and the growing awareness of unions and civil society of the threat such events present to working conditions and social and union rights. The authors argue that the high profile and economic importance of mega sports events, such as the Olympics and the Football World Cup, also provide unions with opportunities to build organisational strength and to influence the ever-more globalised world of work. After a brief outline of the role of unions in the Atlanta and Sydney Olympics, the authors compare unions’ attempts to influence the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany and the upcoming 2010 World Cup in South Africa. In providing an overview of the political and organisational contexts of union movements in each country, the article identifies areas of union activities with the potential to achieve sustainable gains regarding working conditions and long-term organisational strength. The degree to which unions in both countries managed to take advantage of such opportunities is additionally assessed. The authors find that attempts by German unions to use the World Cup for long-term strategic gains were exceptional, with specifi cally notable gains being made in the security and sportswear industries. While unions in South Africa have taken a more strategic approach, with significant achievements in the construction and security sectors, they are still a long way from achieving a „unionised“ World Cup. The article highlights some exciting new developments in relation to the role of union learning, broad coalition building, global networking and an increasing role for the Global Union Federations.