The representation gap

Peter Holland and Nadia K. Kougiannou

Chapter 29 in Theories and Concepts in Work and Employment Relations, 2025, pp 252-258 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter explores the concept of the representation gap. In the context of employment relations, representation identifies who formally represents the workforce when engaging with management, particularly concerning matters related to, though not limited to, terms and conditions of employment. Historically, this has been the trade union movement in advanced market economies. With the decline in trade union density, research began to draw attention to the vacuum or gap occurring in this representation aspect of workplace industrial relations for workers, which became known as the representation gap. The representation gap signifies the portion of the workforce within a workplace who would opt to join a union for representation if the opportunity were presented. The representation gap needs to be measured or expressed as the proportion of the workforce excluded from the coverage of collective bargaining agreements. Taking this perspective, the focus derived from a conception of workers’ interests and not preferences means the representation gap is much wider and growing. This is an interesting paradox in an era of long-term declining union membership.

Keywords: Representation gap; Trade unions; Trade union density; Terms and conditions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781035316199
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