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Politics & Government

Judge Rules Against Dayton's Call for Minnesota Home Child Care Providers to Vote on Unionizing

A Ramsey County judge said Gov. Mark Dayton exceeded his power when he made an executive order calling for a union vote.

A Ramsey County judge ruled Friday that Gov. Mark Dayton exceeded his power when he made an executive order last year that called for some home childcare providers to vote on whether to unionize, according to a press release from Minnesota Majority.

Judge Dale Lindman made the ruling after 11 childcare providers filed a lawsuit claiming the possibility they might be required to pay “fair share” fees violated their rights, the release says.

In , Rep. Andrea Kieffer, a Republican from Woodbury, chastised Dayton's proposal.

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"Some providers may pass the cost to the families they serve; others may take it out of their own profit margin. Either way, the union gets more money and working families get less," she wrote.

Kieffer added: "There is no reason home-based, independent business owners need to be unionized since the services are already offered. Moreover, people who have voiced concerns directly to me are at a ratio of about 80 opposed to 1 in favor."

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The judge said the executive order was unconstitutional because it was used to circumvent the state legislature, the Star Tribune reports.

Lindman’s order awarded the childcare providers court costs and attorney fees, the release says.

 

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