MN Gov On Fence About Child Care Union Push
by Associated Press
November 20, 2012 2:31 PM
After being blocked in court, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton says he hasn't decided whether to ask the reconfigured Legislature to permit a unionization drive by home-based child care providers.
Dayton said Tuesday that he has yet to have a discussion with advisers about rewriting labor law. Democrats won majorities in both legislative chambers, providing a friendlier environment for organized labor.
Last winter, Dayton tried to use executive authority to call a union election for about 11,000 providers. A judge ruled that Dayton lacked the power within existing law to order the unionization vote by child care providers.
A spokeswoman for a Minnesota arm of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees says the union is examining options but would support legislation to improve quality, affordability and training.
