Labor heterogeneities and representation gaps: an analytical proposal for addressing the union strategies of non-salaried workers based on the case of CTEP-UTEP

Abstract

The transformations in the world of work over recent decades have prominently manifested in increased labor heterogeneity and rising inequality levels among different segments of workers. This shift has widened representation gaps, posing significant challenges for union organization, particularly for workers outside traditional salaried employment. In this context, this article aims to critically examine the dimensions traditionally used to study union strategies, with the objective of contributing to the development of a conceptual framework for addressing these strategies within unions of non-salaried workers. Drawing on research conducted over the past decade on workers organized within CTEP-UTEP and an extensive literature review, the article proposes a three-dimensional analytical framework, elucidated through the case of this organization.