The Social Responsibility Of Labor

Abstract

In the ongoing discussion about corporate social responsibility, little attention has been paid to the social responsibility of the other factor of production - labor.  The modern perspective is that major economic players have an external impact on society that generates social costs that are paid by the community. The emerging view is that, for the sustainability of the community, these players must contribute in a positive way by covering these social costs and participating in the life of the community.  This paper examines the extent to which unionized labor, as a major economic player, is assuming positions of social responsibility in the national and local communities. It suggests that by developing a boarder social vision, the American labor movement could revitalize itself.