McGraw-Hill Education Labor Relations: Striking a Balance

John Budd continues to present the most dynamic, engaging approach to understanding labor relations in the 21st century with Labor Relations, 2/e. Budd’s well-received and award-winning presentation shows labor relations as a system for striking a balance between employment relationship goals (efficiency, equity, and voice) and between the rights of labor and management. Labor Relations moves beyond a process-based focus in studying this topic by placing the discussion of contemporary U.S. processes into the context of underlying themes: what are the goals of the system; are those goals being fulfilled; and are reforms needed. Central topics are placed in the broader context of the goals of the employment relationship, conflicting rights, and the environment of the 21st Century. Budd’s broader context therefore makes labor relations more engaging and relevant to students. It also allows instructors to raise important “big picture” ideas that go beyond mere how-to descriptions. About the Author John W. Budd is a professor in the Industrial Relations Center at the University of Minnesotas Carlson School of Management where he holds an Industrial Relations Landgrant Professorship. Professor Budd has taught labor relations to undergraduates, professional Masters students, and Ph.D. candidates and has received multiple teaching awards. He is the author of The Thought of Work (Cornell University Press), Employment with a Human Face: Balancing Efficiency, Equity, and Voice (Cornell University Press),and Invisible Hands, Invisible Objectives: Bringing Workplace Law and Public Policy into Focus (with Stephen Befort, Stanford University Press), the coeditor of The Ethics of Human Resources and Industrial Relations (with James Scoville, Labor and Employment Relations Association), and has published numerous journal articles relating to work, labor relations, and conflict resolution. Professor Budd has been the director of the University of Minnesotas Center for Human Resources and Labor Studies, and has also served as director of graduate studies for Minnesotas graduate program in human resources and industrial relations.