“This is clearly a frivolous lawsuit by cheap-labor conservatives who oppose collective bargaining rights; they’ve tried it in other states and have lost,” said Eric Lehto, organizing director for AFSCME Minnesota Council 5.
A group of child care providers, backed by an organization called “Child Care Freedom,” announced Monday they would file suit, saying Governor Mark Dayton exceeded his authority in scheduling a union vote. Child Care Freedom’s members include several organizations traditionally hostile to organized labor, including the National Federation of Independent Business, Minnesota Family Council and Minnesota Free Market Institute.
Lehto said Dayton’s decision is consistent with actions taken in many other states.
“Governor Dayton has legal authority to direct the Bureau of Mediation Services to conduct a union election and to determine appropriate bargaining units of child care providers,” he said. “Voters in this election include only licensed, subsidized providers who have a direct financial relationship with the state of Minnesota. It is this direct community of interest that makes them an appropriate bargaining unit.”
“If a majority of providers come together in a democratic process, Governor Dayton will recognize their professional voice. Thirteen governors already do that – and there’s nothing stopping Minnesota. Union membership will be voluntary and all providers will retain their constitutional right to participate in the policymaking process.”
The governor’s authorization means 4,300 providers will have 14 days to vote on whether they want a union, and their mail ballots will be counted before the end of the year. If successful, providers will be able to negotiate with the state over standards, funding, quality, and other issues that affect their livelihoods and the care they provide.
AFSCME Council 5’s Child Care Providers Together expects to win an election among 2,300 providers in the northern two-thirds of the state, including Hennepin, Ramsey, and St. Louis counties.
SEIU’s Kids First is organizing providers in much of the southern one-third of counties, including Anoka, Olmsted and Stearns. Providers have been organizing with AFSCME and SEIU for six years.
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“This is clearly a frivolous lawsuit by cheap-labor conservatives who oppose collective bargaining rights; they’ve tried it in other states and have lost,” said Eric Lehto, organizing director for AFSCME Minnesota Council 5.
A group of child care providers, backed by an organization called “Child Care Freedom,” announced Monday they would file suit, saying Governor Mark Dayton exceeded his authority in scheduling a union vote. Child Care Freedom’s members include several organizations traditionally hostile to organized labor, including the National Federation of Independent Business, Minnesota Family Council and Minnesota Free Market Institute.
Lehto said Dayton’s decision is consistent with actions taken in many other states.
“Governor Dayton has legal authority to direct the Bureau of Mediation Services to conduct a union election and to determine appropriate bargaining units of child care providers,” he said. “Voters in this election include only licensed, subsidized providers who have a direct financial relationship with the state of Minnesota. It is this direct community of interest that makes them an appropriate bargaining unit.”
“If a majority of providers come together in a democratic process, Governor Dayton will recognize their professional voice. Thirteen governors already do that – and there’s nothing stopping Minnesota. Union membership will be voluntary and all providers will retain their constitutional right to participate in the policymaking process.”
The governor’s authorization means 4,300 providers will have 14 days to vote on whether they want a union, and their mail ballots will be counted before the end of the year. If successful, providers will be able to negotiate with the state over standards, funding, quality, and other issues that affect their livelihoods and the care they provide.
AFSCME Council 5’s Child Care Providers Together expects to win an election among 2,300 providers in the northern two-thirds of the state, including Hennepin, Ramsey, and St. Louis counties.
SEIU’s Kids First is organizing providers in much of the southern one-third of counties, including Anoka, Olmsted and Stearns. Providers have been organizing with AFSCME and SEIU for six years.