Abstract
Discussion of worker rights often focuses on the right to associate freely and bargain collectively. Such rights may not be achievable in globalized labor markets when workers do not appropriate the value they add. Relationships in which workers either participate in the management of the enterprise or directly appropriate their own surplus are more common than is generally understood. Recent work in economic philosophy provides an inalienable right for workers to collectively appropriate the fruits of their labor. Given the general failure of existing corporate governance systems, the case for worker appropriation as both responsibility and right is both practical and strong.
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Notes
Private communication from Prof. Olson, July 11, 2010.
Thanks to George DeMartino of the Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver for helping me to think through the implications of the capabilities approach for the organization of work.
This was clear from the stream of panels on alternative work organization at the 2010 International Labor Process conference at Rutgers.
Thanks to Frances Viggiani of Alfred University for reminding me of this quote.
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McIntyre, R. Worker Appropriation as Responsibility and Right. Employ Respons Rights J 23, 221–227 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10672-011-9180-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10672-011-9180-4