[Interview of Dr. Robert F. Banks, associate provost and associate vice president for academic human resources, and professor emeritus of the James Madison College at Michigan State University]. [Pt. 1].

Dr. Robert F. Banks, associate provost and associate vice president for academic human resources, and professor emeritus of the James Madison College at Michigan State University, talks about his childhood in northern New Jersey, his education, becoming interested in labor studies, working with union training programs while in school in England, and earning a doctorate from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Banks talks about labor issues of the day, the abilities of the union members with whom he worked, and the political climate in Britain. He describes how he came to meet his wife then talks extensively about labor issues and the role he played in Britain and the U.S., discusses the general labor movement, then covers a number of researchers and authors. John Revitte explains the information he would like to obtain from Banks at future interviews including the history of the Faculty Grievance Office at MSU, Banks' association with the School of Labor and Industrial Relations at MSU, and issues around unionization at the University, and the office of Ombudsman for faculty and students. Banks is interviewed by John Revitte, MSU professor of Labor and Industrial Relations. First of six interviews.