The present paper analyzes the relationship established between sociology of labor and the unionism in Brazil. That is done by covering three moments of that relationship. Having as a backdrop the successive political and economical conjunctures, we go from that first generation of work sociologists to the recent period, trying to identify the most characteristic points in that trajectory. We work with the hypothesis according to which, along its trajectory, sociology of labor in Brazil was marked, in its origins, by the search for affirmation and professionalism (1950/1960); later, it developed a strong political and social engagement, assuming a public character and serving to conform to certain social identities (1970/ 1980); finally, it would have turned into a sociology for public policies (1990/2000).
sociology of labor; social identities; workers; unionism