Reading about a legal issue in a secondary source (such as a textbook or handbook) is a good starting point when doing your assignments. They give an overview, or big picture, of the issues. Besides background information, landmark cases and NLRB decisions are identified. Often other significant cases and decisions are also mentioned. Most people find this easier than reading all cases and decisions on a subject, without any previous knowledge or experience, and reaching their own conclusions on the legal significance. These secondary sources are not the end of your research and will not be cited in your paper. You will use them to identify some of the federal court cases and NLRB decisions to be read. You will cite only the actual cases read and used. You may also be using such things as federal labor legislation and regulations that you have found in your research.
- The Developing Labor Law
2007, 5th edition, 2 volumes with supplements, index at end of volume 2
Location: MSU Law Library Level I
Call #: KF 3369 .D48 2007
This discusses the development of labor law with citations to significant court cases and NLRB decisions. It is usually the first choice as a starting place in getting background information on a labor law subject, as well as relatively current developments. The supplements are arranged into the same chapters, sections and subsections as the main volumes. They do not have their own subject index but the table of contents will correspond to the main volumes.
- Employment Coordinator
17 volumes, index in volume 17
Location: Business Library Reference Collection
Call #: KF 3315 . E46 2004
This is an updated analytical encyclopedia on all aspects of LR/HR law (labor relations, employment discrimination, wages and hours, safety and health, compensation and benefits). The most significant court cases and NLRB decisions are cited along with the discussion of the current interpretation of the law. It is updated monthly but is not a source of citations to recent cases unless they have changed the legal interpretation of an issue. Background and developmental information is generally not included. Labor law is in volumes 9-12.
