John Budd
@johnwbudd.bsky.social
1.2K followers 71 following 18 posts

Work & Organizations professor at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Mgmt. Researching labor relations & work; learning about race, power & justice in business. LERA President.

Economics 29%
Political science 23%
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johnwbudd.bsky.social
Really enjoyed last week's LERA 77th annual meeting (OK, as program chair maybe I'm biased). Inspiring keynotes by ‪@lizshuler.bsky.social‬ @darrickhamilton.bsky.social‬ & others. Great young scholar research + professionalXacademic interactions. Honored to be LERA president until next conf in Mpls.
John Budd speaking at a podium during the 77th Annual Meeting of the Labor and Employment Relations Association. Members of the head table next to the podium are laughing. Group photo after the AFL-CIO breakfast at the LERA 77th Annual Meeting in Seattle, including AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and AFL-CIO Chief Economist Darrick Hamilton.

johnwbudd.bsky.social
To learn more about Professor Marshall’s fascinating life, listen to episode 18 of Orley Ashenfelter’s podcast The Work Goes On. irs100.princeton.edu/podcasts/ray...
irs100.princeton.edu

johnwbudd.bsky.social
We gathered yesterday to honor Prof Marshall. But it’s really us who should feel honored because we’ve had the benefit of his scholarship, real-world advocacy for workers, and institution building. We also presented Marshall with a LERA 50-year membership pin, but it’s actually much closer to 75!

johnwbudd.bsky.social
and other parties; extensive public service to bring that scholarship into practice and foster shared prosperity; and tripartite approaches that value all stakeholders. This includes, as just one example, serving four years as Secretary of Labor under President Carter.
A group photo in which leaders of LERA are standing next to Ray Marshall who is holding a plaque commemorating being named a LERA Fellow.

Reposted by Aaron Sojourner

johnwbudd.bsky.social
As LERA President, it was a tremendous privilege to honor F. Ray Marshall as a LERA Fellow at a ceremony hosted by the Ray Marshall Center at UT-Austin. Prof Marshall has lived LERA's values for 75 years and counting: rigorous scholarship on relevant issues affecting workers, employers, unions,
Picture of F. Ray Marshall speaking to an audience, with his hands gesturing for emphasis.

johnwbudd.bsky.social
Submit a proposal and mark your calendars for the LERA 78th Annual Meeting, May 28-31, 2026, in Minneapolis, MN.Proposals due November 15, 2025. monkeylink.co/0861ee
Graphic that calls for proposal submissions by Nov 15 for the 2026 LERA Annual Meeting to be held in Minneapolis, May 28-31.

Reposted by Aaron Sojourner

johnwbudd.bsky.social
Like many others, the Labor and Employment Relations Association (LERA) is troubled by the firing of BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer.
The Labor and Employment Relations Association is deeply concerned by the August 1, 2025 dismissal of the commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

All of LERA’s constituencies depend on trustworthy, transparent, non-politicized government statistics. Labor and management need reliable and credible statistics to plan strategies for their organizations and to find common-ground solutions, implement collective agreements, and avoid unnecessary conflict. Politicized economic data will make it more difficult for mediators and arbitrators to resolve disputes. Researchers require reliable statistical indicators to generate insights that deepen our understanding of the economy and the workplace.

At all levels of government, statistical agencies need to be independent in order to provide the impartial and trustworthy statistics that are essential to the functioning and prosperity of our society, and that provide a foundation for productive labor-management relationships. LERA urges elected officials, congressional policymakers, business leaders, labor organizations, and all stakeholders to support well-resourced and independent government statistical agencies, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Dated: August 8, 2025

Reposted by John W. Budd

Reposted by John W. Budd

alexwild.bsky.social
Texas legislators considering a bill that would put all public university course curricula and faculty hiring in the hands of ruling party political appointees and politicians, effectively ending academic freedom.
Texas bill would increase oversight of universities’ hiring, curriculum and compliance
Senate Bill 37 would create a state office to investigate complaints against universities and require governing boards to ensure courses don’t endorse certain ideologies.
www.texastribune.org

johnwbudd.bsky.social
Congrats Dave. Looks like a great book, and also the foundation of a great LERA session in Mpls next May? For example, an author presentation + 3 commentaries. Proposal deadline Nov 15.

johnwbudd.bsky.social
And speaking of #LERA2026 in Minneapolis, it's never too early to start thinking about session proposals. Diverse proposals welcome: new research, research meets practice, professional development workshops, policy forums, new formats.
www.leraweb.org/call-2026-minn
Call for Proposals - LERA 78th Annual Meeting
www.leraweb.org
aaronsojourner.org
Americans favor labor unions over big business now more than ever, analysis of new data @epi.org from me & Adam Reich of Columbia Labor Lab.

In data back 60 years, Americans' sentiments are both warmer toward unions & cooler towards big business than ever before.
www.epi.org/blog/america...

Reposted by John W. Budd

elkelly.bsky.social
Glad to be part of this conversation. Thanks @equitablegrowth.bsky.social for pulling us together.

Reposted by John W. Budd

Reposted by John W. Budd

msainato.bsky.social
DOGE terminated nearly all staff and services at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service today

"It is shocking as the agency does not regulate and has always been non-controversial" said a FMCS employee on the cuts

www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Doge shutters federal workplace mediator agency after Trump order
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, independent labor peacemaker, makes up just 0.0014% of US budget
www.theguardian.com
profsheenalives.bsky.social
Eliminating the FMCS is yet another statement of contempt for worker voice and the law of the land. The Labor and Employment Relations Association (LERA) has it right:

johnwbudd.bsky.social
"SB 37 would also let governing boards vet and veto universities’ courses and curricula...to ensure courses...'do not endorse specific public policies, ideologies or legislation.'"

Maybe they'll start with microeconomics?
alexwild.bsky.social
Texas legislators considering a bill that would put all public university course curricula and faculty hiring in the hands of ruling party political appointees and politicians, effectively ending academic freedom.
Texas bill would increase oversight of universities’ hiring, curriculum and compliance
Senate Bill 37 would create a state office to investigate complaints against universities and require governing boards to ensure courses don’t endorse certain ideologies.
www.texastribune.org

johnwbudd.bsky.social
Last year when revising my labor relations textbook for the soon-to-be-released 2025 edition, I significantly reduced the coverage of Change to Win. Correlation or causation?

Reposted by John W. Budd

aaronsojourner.org
Minnesota now has a local chapter of the Labor & Employment Relations Association!

First event is Jan 30: "Emerging Issues As Seen By Neutrals"

Really grateful for the folks leading in the establishment of this new chapter. Lots more events to come.
#1u #EconSky
lerachapter.org/northstar/ev...

johnwbudd.bsky.social
Submit a proposal - The LERA 77th Annual Meeting Call for Proposals is open now through November 15; start thinking about the session you would like to propose now! Deadline November 15th 2024. View the complete call and submission forms here:
lera.memberclicks.net/index.php?op...
Call for Proposals - LERA 77th Annual Meeting
lera.memberclicks.net

johnwbudd.bsky.social
No sympathy for Uber & Lyft complaints about being left out. The governor's commission gave them a big voice. Companies Instead shut down meaningful pay discussions.

"Uber...said the company still sees room for negotiation but wants to be part of the discussions."
m.startribune.com/legislators-...
Legislators say they have a deal on Uber and Lyft driver pay, but companies object
Pay rates in the compromise are below the Minneapolis council ordinance and below what drivers' advocacy groups wanted, but driver group calls it a show of good faith.
m.startribune.com

johnwbudd.bsky.social
We can mark down today as the birthdate of the North Star LERA chapter. Local programming to follow in the fall.

johnwbudd.bsky.social
A nice summary of what the MN task force on ride share drivers achieved and moreso failed to achieve. The first three months rhetoric of "we're here to find solutions" disappeared in the last two weeks.
minnesotareformer.com/2023/12/19/m...