3×3 basketball is an emerging sport that demands extreme versatility from players. Each participant must defend, attack, and cover all positions on the court. At the Town Hall of Arrecife, it seems we have adopted this format, but in an even more “heroic” version: the 3×1. Our colleagues, like NBA stars, stretch themselves to fill three roles with just one individual, juggling responsibilities to keep the machinery of administration running smoothly.
The Overworked Player
Imagine a coach hiring a star player to become the new face of the team. They receive a contract, a shiny kit with their name on it, and are promised they will be the pivot who revolutionises the game. The player arrives, kit on and towel over their shoulder, ready to give it their all on the court. Suddenly, the coach, beaming from ear to ear, says, “Surprise! Today, you’ll be playing in three roles! A bit as the pivot, a bit as the point guard, and if you have five minutes spare, you can also play as a forward.”
The Impossibility of Multitasking
The poor player, instead of mastering one position, is forced to run around like a headless chicken, juggling the ball while trying to defend three areas of the court simultaneously. It’s not that they lack the skill; it’s simply impossible for a single human being to perform at 100% across two or three positions at the same time. The player is exhausted (as are the workers), the fans are disgruntled (the residents), and the coach (the politician) rubs their hands together as if they have discovered the secret to multiplying players. What a triple whammy!
A Breach of Contract
What the coach is doing to this unfortunate player amounts to a serious foul. A contract is a contract, not a menu item where you order one dish and receive three. The coach hired the player for a specific role, say, as a pivot, because the rules state that a pivot is essential for the team’s survival. Yet suddenly, with a couple of legal pirouettes (or more aptly “non-legal” ones), the coach decides that the player must also cover two or three other vacant positions.
Not a Joke, but a Mockery
This is not a whimsical improvisation from a local match; it is a blatant mockery that nearly borders on illegality. The coach refuses to hire more personnel to fill the vacancies, so they pull a rabbit out of the hat and choose to exploit the player they already have. This disrespects the regulations, the player, fair play, and the fans. One cannot sign a contract for one position and then demand work for two or three others. This is a shameful lack of planning, an utter embarrassment, and a technical foul that should be penalised! Even if the coach insists they do not wish to exploit workers, reality contradicts them. How many of us are covering two or three roles, distributing our working hours as if it were some sort of magical potion? This constant improvisation is proof of a disgraceful lack of planning, highlighted by the absence of a human resources management plan, which is fundamental for any serious institution.
The Consequences
The consequences of this situation are very real and painful. The result is demotivated, frustrated staff, coerced and under extreme stress, eventually leading to sick leave. The neglect and mistreatment from the “managers,” particularly the “coach,” become a daily occurrence, while they continue to “gather trophies” for their supposed efficiency at the cost of those who make this town hall operate.
A Question of Leadership
Are we truly champions, or are we merely pretending at the expense of the well-being of those who make this town hall function?
Trade Union Section of UGT at the Town Hall of Arrecife.
