What is the status of UNIO?
UNIO has been created by a group of Women’s Professional Teams as an independent non-profit association under the Swiss law.
2. What is the relationship of UNIO with the UCI and other cycling stakeholders?
From the early stages of its creation, UNIO has developed a strong relationship with the UCI, which has given UNIO its full institutional support.
UNIO aims to be the sole organisation representing the Professional Women’s Cycling Teams and have a direct dialogue with the UCI and all other cycling stakeholders.
Which teams can become members of UNIO?
UNIO is open to all teams registered with the UCI as a Women Continental or Women World Tour team and competing in the road races discipline.
Nevertheless, UNIO is working in the interest of women cycling in general and for all categories.
What are the benefits of the members of UNIO?
Each member of UNIO has the right to participate in the activities of UNIO, to attend the meetings of the General Assembly, with the right to speak and to vote, and to make proposals in order to improve the implementation of the objectives of UNIO.
In addition, each member will have the right to take advantage of the opportunities and benefits that UNIO may obtain, such as;
- health and accident rider/staff insurances for all teams (insurance pooling);
- united service aiming at reducing the team’s expenses;
- reformed procedure for the prize money payment;
- marketing and communication tools;
- sporting and economic support for every team;
- legal and contractual services.
Last but not least, UNIO works closely with a dedicated team of lawyers who remain available to answer all your questions. You can reach them anytime via legal@unio.team if you have any question.
How much does it cost to become a member of UNIO?
It is completely free to join and there are currently no membership fees to be paid by the members of UNIO.
What are the obligations of the members of UNIO?
The membership of UNIO is without engagement, which means that the teams can join and leave UNIO at any time.
It is expected that members of UNIO actively contribute to the work of UNIO in furtherance of its objectives and in particular, to participate actively in all available decision-making processes by attending the meetings they were invited to and by making use of their voting rights.
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What will be the actions of UNIO?
UNIO will represent the interests of every members before the cycling governing bodies and will work with the national cycling associations and the UCI in order to include a direct vote for UNIO in the Road Commission, to have a permanent seat on the Women’s Road Commission for a strong voice in the Professional Cycling Council whenever it concerns Women Cycling.
UNIO will have a structure of internal expert groups to comment on, respond to and steer important issues. UNIO will also join or establish external working groups with the UCI and other governing bodies worldwide, such as Rider’s unions. Based on the expertise of our experts, the goal is to find solutions for all teams. For instance:
- Development of practical solutions regarding the upcoming maternity obligation for teams;
- Work with UCI`s medical health commission on a future rider BMI and better in race medical protocols and procedures.
- Optimization of the race calendar;
- Increase of the prize money;
- Reform of team reimbursement travel expenses;
- Implementation of rules for fair negations on riders’ contracts;
- Establishment of financial compensation for the development of young riders;
- Harmonization of the legal, regulatory and contractual frameworks.
For UNIO to become a strong institution and make the ideas and concerns of its members heard, we need all the teams actively on board. UNIO will thus be an organisation within which we expect the members to raise and discuss various topics and where a concrete solution will be proposed and decided.
If you have any further question regarding membership and/or the Statutes of UNIO, please feel free to also contact legal@unio.team. Our team of lawyers will be there to guide you.