Scott Littlehale
@slittlehale.bsky.social
Build Housing, Protect All Workers, Organize.
California construction labor union research analyst and campaigner since 2003. Research finds that union membership, collective bargaining, and quality jobs are good for people and society, actually.
California construction labor union research analyst and campaigner since 2003. Research finds that union membership, collective bargaining, and quality jobs are good for people and society, actually.
Pinned
Scott Littlehale
@slittlehale.bsky.social
· Nov 22
Recent replies question my approach to housing construction challenges, summarized as:
1) Pay workers a locally appropriate self-sufficiency wage, with retention-promoting, intra-industry-portable fringe benefits
2) Attack other socially negative sources of production costs.
Here's my argument👇
1) Pay workers a locally appropriate self-sufficiency wage, with retention-promoting, intra-industry-portable fringe benefits
2) Attack other socially negative sources of production costs.
Here's my argument👇
Reposted by Scott Littlehale
People will die, and are currently dying, because RFK was granted one of the most powerful megaphones in the country. Two people who could have thrown barriers in front of his climb decided not to; there's a sex scandal here but it is not the biggest scandal.
November 26, 2025 at 11:30 PM
People will die, and are currently dying, because RFK was granted one of the most powerful megaphones in the country. Two people who could have thrown barriers in front of his climb decided not to; there's a sex scandal here but it is not the biggest scandal.
Engaging, provocative-in-a-good-way writing about a haunting album and interesting artist (and I'm no Springsteen fanatic).
I hope to find her full Replacements "Let It Be" liner notes (or will have to pry open the wallet. I just wish the 40th [41st] Anniversary edition album was sold via Bandcamp)
I hope to find her full Replacements "Let It Be" liner notes (or will have to pry open the wallet. I just wish the 40th [41st] Anniversary edition album was sold via Bandcamp)
Thanks to The Ringer for republishing my 2022 piece on 'Nebraska' amidst the excitement surrounding 'Deliver Me From Nowhere'. It's one I'm very proud of- both a celebration of a transcendent album and a melancholy reckoning with the broken American labor movement. www.theringer.com/2022/12/14/m...
Please Don’t Stop Me: 40 Years of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Nebraska’
Decades after its release, the haunted highways and haunted characters of the Boss’s largely acoustic masterpiece still haunt the American psyche
www.theringer.com
November 27, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Engaging, provocative-in-a-good-way writing about a haunting album and interesting artist (and I'm no Springsteen fanatic).
I hope to find her full Replacements "Let It Be" liner notes (or will have to pry open the wallet. I just wish the 40th [41st] Anniversary edition album was sold via Bandcamp)
I hope to find her full Replacements "Let It Be" liner notes (or will have to pry open the wallet. I just wish the 40th [41st] Anniversary edition album was sold via Bandcamp)
Reposted by Scott Littlehale
It's shrinkflation. The turkey is more expensive and they took many goodies away from this year's meal.
bsky.app/profile/aaro...
bsky.app/profile/aaro...
November 26, 2025 at 1:40 PM
It's shrinkflation. The turkey is more expensive and they took many goodies away from this year's meal.
bsky.app/profile/aaro...
bsky.app/profile/aaro...
Reposted by Scott Littlehale
2025: no pecan pie
November 6, 2025 at 12:10 AM
2025: no pecan pie
Reposted by Scott Littlehale
2025 2024
Turkey $/lb 0.97 0.88
Walmart's 2025 page claims this price is lowest since 2019 but price per pound is higher. So price is lowest because it's less turkey.
2025 corporate.walmart.com/news/2025/10...
2024 corporate.walmart.com/news/2024/10...
Turkey $/lb 0.97 0.88
Walmart's 2025 page claims this price is lowest since 2019 but price per pound is higher. So price is lowest because it's less turkey.
2025 corporate.walmart.com/news/2025/10...
2024 corporate.walmart.com/news/2024/10...
November 5, 2025 at 11:43 PM
2025 2024
Turkey $/lb 0.97 0.88
Walmart's 2025 page claims this price is lowest since 2019 but price per pound is higher. So price is lowest because it's less turkey.
2025 corporate.walmart.com/news/2025/10...
2024 corporate.walmart.com/news/2024/10...
Turkey $/lb 0.97 0.88
Walmart's 2025 page claims this price is lowest since 2019 but price per pound is higher. So price is lowest because it's less turkey.
2025 corporate.walmart.com/news/2025/10...
2024 corporate.walmart.com/news/2024/10...
Reposted by Scott Littlehale
bonus tracked pelican diving in front of a sunset with ~ORANGE SPLASH BABEEYY!!!!~
I'm gonna go take a nap. or just straight up sleep. im very tired. love each other. be venomous to our enemies. together 🥰
also remember to not buy starbucks through the duration of @sbworkersunited.org' ULP strike!
I'm gonna go take a nap. or just straight up sleep. im very tired. love each other. be venomous to our enemies. together 🥰
also remember to not buy starbucks through the duration of @sbworkersunited.org' ULP strike!
November 26, 2025 at 3:31 AM
bonus tracked pelican diving in front of a sunset with ~ORANGE SPLASH BABEEYY!!!!~
I'm gonna go take a nap. or just straight up sleep. im very tired. love each other. be venomous to our enemies. together 🥰
also remember to not buy starbucks through the duration of @sbworkersunited.org' ULP strike!
I'm gonna go take a nap. or just straight up sleep. im very tired. love each other. be venomous to our enemies. together 🥰
also remember to not buy starbucks through the duration of @sbworkersunited.org' ULP strike!
Reposted by Scott Littlehale
BREAKING: Oakland McDonald’s strike begins days before Thanksgiving.
The company notified workers it's suddenly closing the store about a week ago, leaving us without jobs at the end of the month.
That's not how you treat your employees of nearly 20 years!
#UnionsForAll
The company notified workers it's suddenly closing the store about a week ago, leaving us without jobs at the end of the month.
That's not how you treat your employees of nearly 20 years!
#UnionsForAll
November 25, 2025 at 10:33 PM
BREAKING: Oakland McDonald’s strike begins days before Thanksgiving.
The company notified workers it's suddenly closing the store about a week ago, leaving us without jobs at the end of the month.
That's not how you treat your employees of nearly 20 years!
#UnionsForAll
The company notified workers it's suddenly closing the store about a week ago, leaving us without jobs at the end of the month.
That's not how you treat your employees of nearly 20 years!
#UnionsForAll
Reposted by Scott Littlehale
ICYMI: Congratulations to Santa Fe for being the first U.S. city to include housing costs in calculations for minimum wage increases. www.kob.com/news/top-new...
Santa Fe City Council approves minimum wage increase to $17.50
The Santa Fe City Council approved a plan to raise the minimum wage and continue raising it based on housing costs in the city.
www.kob.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:44 PM
ICYMI: Congratulations to Santa Fe for being the first U.S. city to include housing costs in calculations for minimum wage increases. www.kob.com/news/top-new...
Reposted by Scott Littlehale
Yes, the question is broad but note that respondents were asked if they ever use (present tense) each site.
www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/u...
Here's some info on daily users from the same report bsky.app/profile/conr...
www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/u...
Here's some info on daily users from the same report bsky.app/profile/conr...
November 23, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Yes, the question is broad but note that respondents were asked if they ever use (present tense) each site.
www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/u...
Here's some info on daily users from the same report bsky.app/profile/conr...
www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/u...
Here's some info on daily users from the same report bsky.app/profile/conr...
We're (re-)posting in a niche space.
Still, beats most alternatives. (Haven't ever managed to get into Reddit)
Still, beats most alternatives. (Haven't ever managed to get into Reddit)
UPDATE: Americans who use
YouTube 84%
Facebook 71%
Instagram 50%
TikTok 37%
WhatsApp 32%
Reddit 26%
Snapchat 25%
X (Twitter) 21%
Threads 8%
Bluesky 4%
Truth Social 3%
Full Pew Research Center report: https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2025/11/20/americans-social-media-use-2025/
YouTube 84%
Facebook 71%
Instagram 50%
TikTok 37%
WhatsApp 32%
Reddit 26%
Snapchat 25%
X (Twitter) 21%
Threads 8%
Bluesky 4%
Truth Social 3%
Full Pew Research Center report: https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2025/11/20/americans-social-media-use-2025/
November 24, 2025 at 1:51 PM
We're (re-)posting in a niche space.
Still, beats most alternatives. (Haven't ever managed to get into Reddit)
Still, beats most alternatives. (Haven't ever managed to get into Reddit)
Reposted by Scott Littlehale
“when legacy-verified commentators who were once seen as centrist or neutral gradually adopt right-wing argumentative styles, narratives, or antagonisms because those behaviours generate more engagement, status, and attention on X/Twitter.”
November 24, 2025 at 5:15 AM
“when legacy-verified commentators who were once seen as centrist or neutral gradually adopt right-wing argumentative styles, narratives, or antagonisms because those behaviours generate more engagement, status, and attention on X/Twitter.”
Reposted by Scott Littlehale
As we all wait for Callais to come down, our piece showing that Shelby County increased the racial turnout gap in most of the covered parts of the country has cleared the replication check and is incoming at JOP.
Gutting the VRA was bad, actually.
Gutting the VRA was bad, actually.
November 24, 2025 at 12:47 AM
As we all wait for Callais to come down, our piece showing that Shelby County increased the racial turnout gap in most of the covered parts of the country has cleared the replication check and is incoming at JOP.
Gutting the VRA was bad, actually.
Gutting the VRA was bad, actually.
Happy to walk folks through this detailed table breaking down construction expenses.
CW is short for construction workers employed within the specified industry.
Value Added excludes intermediate inputs (eg materials, rented equipment, outsourced services). VA includes Gross Operating Surplus.
CW is short for construction workers employed within the specified industry.
Value Added excludes intermediate inputs (eg materials, rented equipment, outsourced services). VA includes Gross Operating Surplus.
November 23, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Happy to walk folks through this detailed table breaking down construction expenses.
CW is short for construction workers employed within the specified industry.
Value Added excludes intermediate inputs (eg materials, rented equipment, outsourced services). VA includes Gross Operating Surplus.
CW is short for construction workers employed within the specified industry.
Value Added excludes intermediate inputs (eg materials, rented equipment, outsourced services). VA includes Gross Operating Surplus.
Reposted by Scott Littlehale
Finally some good news out of UCLA… Our program has been elevated to an official Department of Labor Studies, the first labor studies department in UC history!
newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/ucla...
newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/ucla...
September 26, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Finally some good news out of UCLA… Our program has been elevated to an official Department of Labor Studies, the first labor studies department in UC history!
newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/ucla...
newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/ucla...
Reposted by Scott Littlehale
It’s hilarious and revelatory that a bunch of giant MAGA/America First X accounts are actually based in Eastern Europe and Nigeria.
Top MAGA Influencers Accidentally Unmasked as Foreign Actors
A new feature on Elon Musk’s X has given deeper insight into the online “America First” movement.
www.thedailybeast.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:07 PM
It’s hilarious and revelatory that a bunch of giant MAGA/America First X accounts are actually based in Eastern Europe and Nigeria.
Reposted by Scott Littlehale
Austin Smith, a former Republican state representative and onetime leader within Turning Point Action—the political arm of Turning Point USA—pleaded guilty to forging signatures on nominating petitions for his 2024 reelection bid.
open.substack.com/pub/theintel...
open.substack.com/pub/theintel...
November 23, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Austin Smith, a former Republican state representative and onetime leader within Turning Point Action—the political arm of Turning Point USA—pleaded guilty to forging signatures on nominating petitions for his 2024 reelection bid.
open.substack.com/pub/theintel...
open.substack.com/pub/theintel...
Tangentially, I wonder when was the last time Ezra Klein interviewed a smart working class leader who doesn’t don’t have the “Good Wonk-Keeping Seal of Approval” via a university credential. Such people who have transformed their own lives & the lives of others are worthy of amplification, too.
Since Ezra Klein put housing costs back on the NYT opinion page, here’s some gold standard Economic Census data on construction that shows that construction trades worker compensation is anything but the leading cost-driver.
November 23, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Tangentially, I wonder when was the last time Ezra Klein interviewed a smart working class leader who doesn’t don’t have the “Good Wonk-Keeping Seal of Approval” via a university credential. Such people who have transformed their own lives & the lives of others are worthy of amplification, too.
Reposted by Scott Littlehale
Was hoping to get the moon up last night because it was so good and no one cares about the moon the next day, but still, here it is.
November 23, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Was hoping to get the moon up last night because it was so good and no one cares about the moon the next day, but still, here it is.
Since Ezra Klein put housing costs back on the NYT opinion page, here’s some gold standard Economic Census data on construction that shows that construction trades worker compensation is anything but the leading cost-driver.
November 23, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Since Ezra Klein put housing costs back on the NYT opinion page, here’s some gold standard Economic Census data on construction that shows that construction trades worker compensation is anything but the leading cost-driver.
I'm wondering whether there are any heirs to the style and attitude of Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders (of first album era). The chat bot, unsurprisingly, failed to make any good suggestions. How about any of you?
November 23, 2025 at 2:02 AM
I'm wondering whether there are any heirs to the style and attitude of Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders (of first album era). The chat bot, unsurprisingly, failed to make any good suggestions. How about any of you?
Reposted by Scott Littlehale
Just a reminder that any teenager in the country can get a free library card from the Brooklyn Public Library and can check out eBooks and use online resources.
A wonderful benefit for students facing book bans at home.
www.bklynlibrary.org/media/press/...
A wonderful benefit for students facing book bans at home.
www.bklynlibrary.org/media/press/...
Brooklyn Public Library Offers Free eCards to Teens Nationwide Facing Book Bans in Local Communities | Brooklyn Public Library
Librarians and Teen Volunteers Spearhead Books Unbanned Initiative to Combat Censorship
www.bklynlibrary.org
August 20, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Just a reminder that any teenager in the country can get a free library card from the Brooklyn Public Library and can check out eBooks and use online resources.
A wonderful benefit for students facing book bans at home.
www.bklynlibrary.org/media/press/...
A wonderful benefit for students facing book bans at home.
www.bklynlibrary.org/media/press/...
Really liking @gelliottmorris.com’s analysis after hearing this interview the second time. Peer-reviewed Social science woven together with ongoing polling, data journalism, and some logical analysis that doesn’t seem committed to any particular orthodoxy. Also, (implicitly?) interested in winning
On this week’s show: @gelliottmorris.com fact-checks the claim that Dems need more moderate voters to win; @thirdwaymattb.bsky.social on why he sees Zohran Mamdani as a ‘political problem’ for Dems; @senanaliseortiz.bsky.social on why door-knocking is essential. https://lnk.to/onthemedia/bluesky
November 22, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Really liking @gelliottmorris.com’s analysis after hearing this interview the second time. Peer-reviewed Social science woven together with ongoing polling, data journalism, and some logical analysis that doesn’t seem committed to any particular orthodoxy. Also, (implicitly?) interested in winning
Reposted by Scott Littlehale
According to his lawyers, Carlos Jimenez had attempted to warn agents of the presence of school children at a nearby bus stop in his community when he was shot by federal agents.
The latest update: lataco.com/ontario-man-...
By Aisha Wallace-Palomares and @eltragon.bsky.social
The latest update: lataco.com/ontario-man-...
By Aisha Wallace-Palomares and @eltragon.bsky.social
November 22, 2025 at 1:38 AM
According to his lawyers, Carlos Jimenez had attempted to warn agents of the presence of school children at a nearby bus stop in his community when he was shot by federal agents.
The latest update: lataco.com/ontario-man-...
By Aisha Wallace-Palomares and @eltragon.bsky.social
The latest update: lataco.com/ontario-man-...
By Aisha Wallace-Palomares and @eltragon.bsky.social
Reposted by Scott Littlehale
NEW: ICE has finally released post-shutdown detention data. The latest data reveals that a full 40%(!) of people arrested in the interior and held in ICE detention have no criminal record; no criminal charges or prior convictions. That is up from just 4% when Trump took office.
November 21, 2025 at 4:01 PM
NEW: ICE has finally released post-shutdown detention data. The latest data reveals that a full 40%(!) of people arrested in the interior and held in ICE detention have no criminal record; no criminal charges or prior convictions. That is up from just 4% when Trump took office.