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Perfect match or missing link? An analysis of the representativeness of trade union representatives in Belgium

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  • Bram Wauters
  • Manu Mus
  • Steven Lannoo
  • Carl Devos

Abstract

Insights from the representation literature were applied to industrial relations in order to study the representativeness of union officials. Based on a member-survey in a major Belgian trade union, we found that union representatives mirror quite well their followers in descriptive (except for gender) and substantive terms (issue congruence).

Suggested Citation

  • Bram Wauters & Manu Mus & Steven Lannoo & Carl Devos, 2014. "Perfect match or missing link? An analysis of the representativeness of trade union representatives in Belgium," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(5), pages 424-442, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:indrel:v:45:y:2014:i:5:p:424-442
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1111/irj.12070
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jack Fiorito & Daniel G. Gallagher & Cynthia V. Fukami, 1988. "Satisfaction with Union Representation," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 41(2), pages 294-307, January.
    2. Christina Cregan, 2005. "Can Organizing Work? An Inductive Analysis of Individual Attitudes toward Union Membership," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 58(2), pages 282-304, January.
    3. José Francisco Bellod Redondo, 2012. "La Reforma Laboral En España, Contenido Y Expectativas," Contribuciones a la Economía, Servicios Académicos Intercontinentales SL, issue 2012-04, April.
    4. Jelle Visser, 2002. "Why Fewer Workers Join Unions in Europe: A Social Custom Explanation of Membership Trends," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 40(3), pages 403-430, September.
    5. Daniele Checchi & Jelle Visser & Herman G. Van De Werfhorst, 2010. "Inequality and Union Membership: The Influence of Relative Earnings and Inequality Attitudes," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 48(1), pages 84-108, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Stijn Baert & Eddy Omey, 2015. "Hiring Discrimination Against Pro-union Applicants: The Role of Union Density and Firm Size," De Economist, Springer, vol. 163(3), pages 263-280, September.
    2. Raquel Rego & Ana Espírito-Santo, 2023. "Beyond density: Improving European trade unions’ representativeness through gender quotas," European Journal of Industrial Relations, , vol. 29(4), pages 415-433, December.

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