Ryan S. Johnson, PhD

Labor Arbitrator | Economist

Available for Appointment Nationwide

Ryan is a full-time labor arbitrator with a national practice, based in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He combines training in labor economics and law and economics with over 20 years of experience in teaching, research, consulting, and labor relations.

Ryan became interested in labor arbitration in the fall of 2000 while serving as Mario F. Bognanno’s graduate teaching assistant for a course in labor arbitration. From 2014 to 2021, he apprenticed under Arbitrator Bognanno, attending hearings and drafting mock awards.

Since 2002, Ryan has worked as a university professor, conducting research on unionization, discrimination and segregation, and the effects of federal anti-discrimination policy. He has also taught arbitration and collective bargaining in courses on Labor and Public Policy and Law and Economics, and he continues to teach in the Online MBA and Executive MBA programs at the University of Arizona Eller College of Management.

In his decisions, Ryan draws on his experience in labor arbitration and labor relations to evaluate the evidence in the record, assess competing explanations, and interpret the parties’ agreement in a clear and disciplined manner, grounded in the record.

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Areas of Practice

Ryan has experience in a range of labor arbitration matters in both federal and private sector settings.

Areas of arbitration include:

  • Discipline and discharge

  • Contract interpretation (including overtime, scheduling, seniority, and workplace rules)

  • Arbitrability (procedural and substantive)

  • Wage and premium pay disputes

  • Interest arbitration

  • Federal sector labor disputes under collective bargaining agreements

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The Arbitration Process

Approach

Ryan approaches each case with a focus on developing a complete and reliable record and issuing a clear, well-reasoned decision grounded in the parties’ collective bargaining agreement. He conducts both in-person and virtual hearings and works with the parties to ensure an efficient and professional process that allows both parties a full and fair opportunity to present their case.

Pre-Hearing

Ryan is available to conduct pre-hearing conferences to address scheduling, the formulation of the issue, witness and exhibit procedures, and other preliminary matters. He requests that the parties advise in advance whether a court reporter will be used.

For in-person hearings, Ryan prefers to receive hard copies of exhibits at the outset of the hearing. For virtual hearings, exhibits should be provided in advance.

Hearing

Hearings are conducted in a professional and even-handed manner, with an emphasis on an orderly presentation of evidence. Ryan expects that all objections be addressed to the arbitrator and typically addresses objections at the time they are raised, while maintaining flexibility to ensure the development of a complete record. Where appropriate, evidence may be received subject to weight or connection.

Witness sequestration and related procedural matters, not already addressed before the hearing, are addressed at the outset of the hearing.

Post-Hearing

Post-hearing briefs may be submitted by agreement of the parties or at the arbitrator’s request. Deadlines are typically established at the close of the hearing.

Awards

Ryan issues written awards that are clear, well-reasoned, and grounded in the record and the parties’ agreement. He addresses the issue as framed by the parties and bases his decision on the evidence presented. He strives to issue decisions in a timely manner following the close of the record.

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About Ryan Johnson

Ryan S. Johnson, PhD, is a labor arbitrator based in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and available for appointment nationwide. He has issued decisions in federal and private sector disputes involving discipline and discharge, arbitrability, and contract interpretation.

Highlights:

  • Issued decisions in discharge, arbitrability, and contract interpretation matters

  • Experience in federal and private sector labor arbitration

  • Apprenticed under Arbitrator Mario F. Bognanno (2014–2021)

  • Available for appointment nationwide

  • University of Arizona lecturer (Law and Economics; Labor and Public Policy)

  • PhD in Economics, University of Arizona

Appointments

Ryan accepts labor arbitration appointments nationwide. Parties are invited to contact him regarding potential appointments, scheduling, or other arbitration-related matters.

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