Change at BVB

"The first time we made a list was when we hit 60 fan clubs in the mid-80s. Before that, my four colleagues and I who made up the old office under the north terrace, knew them all by heart." When Petra Stüker reports on BVB and the changes for the employees, she's primarily talking about fan relations. After all, this is her home, and she's an icon for BVB fans. Nobody could more aptly describe how BVB has changed over the years than she can.
 
Working closely with fans every day – sounds fantastic! "It is. At the Department for Fan Affairs, we attend the many jubilees and special projects of our meanwhile more than 950 fan clubs. The connection to the fans is particularly important to BVB. 10 full-time fan representatives! Everything got bigger, and fan work has for a couple of years now been a prerequisite for every club to get its licence."
 
But the change is also being felt elsewhere. "We're paid fairly and have job security. Corona has shown us all how lucky we are to have made it through such a difficult time without short-time work. It wasn't always like that."
 
What hasn't changed are the long hours on match day. "A works agreement recently came into force that, among other things, governs the special circumstances on long match days. That'll help keep us from being overburdened." Petra, who herself is a longstanding member of the Works Council, is happy: "The Executive Board is very much in favour of training seminars; BVB promotes continuing education – and a change in culture." So, everything's great then? "There's still room for improvement in how all employees deal with problematic issues. When you're with your friends and acquaintances you often find yourself having to take a stand on issues, even when you don't want to."
 
The changes in recent years have also boosted morale. "There were times when almost nobody outside of Dortmund had any interest in BVB. Bundesliga no-man's land. That was bad for morale, and you felt insignificant. Today, we all know why we're giving it our all!"