od PLuto » stř 01.02.2012 23:10
Tonight strenuous efforts are under way to get the Eurosport Events deal back on track. iRally has had positive messages this evening from both sides, and continues to believe that a deal can, must and will be done.
Both parties have worked tirelessly against the clock to make a deal, and both clearly still want it to happen.
Meanwhile, it’s possible that European Employment Law may be the actual sticking point that has ended talks between the two parties – at least for now.
The Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment legislation – TUPE - provides for the protection of jobs in certain situations, for example takeovers or transfers of work or contract.
In such circumstances, if it’s deemed that the transfer qualifies for TUPE protection, then workers should be guaranteed job transfers over to the new company, full employment terms and conditions transfer, with continuity of employment maintained.
Some staff at North One Television, working on WRC TV production, were made redundant following the move by FIA to end the North One Sport global promoter contract, and may possibly qualify for such protection if Eurosport Events takes over.
On January 12, the boss of North One Television Neil Duncanson was quoted on a website:
"We're still waiting to hear from Eurosport about the transfer of our production team over to them, under European employment law.”
That story has not re-surfaced since, but it may be that the lawyers involved in the deal have now advised of the possibility that TUPE would apply in any transfer of responsibility from NOS to Eurosport Events, something FIA or Eurosport might not hitherto considered a serious issue, but one which could have expensive repercussions.
Tonight FIA insiders are moving rapidly to reassure and steady the ship: calls are being made and stakeholders reassured. It may be that Eurosport TV could provide the TV coverage from Sweden and Mexico, with the promoter issue put to one side until the TUPE issue – if that is what it is – is resolved.
iRally is looking for the positives here, and no-one in the sport with any care for its future will want them to fail, iRally least of all.