Judge cancels child care union election

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Apr 6, 2012 at 1:36 pm

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A Ramsey County judge has permanently cancelled a unionization vote by home-based child care workers that Gov. Mark Dayton tried to call late last year.

Judge Dale Lindman ruled Friday that Dayton "exceeded his authority" in trying to set the union vote. Lindman says for a vote to happen, the Legislature must pass a bill allowing a union election for child care providers. He says Dayton violated constitutional separation of powers.

Several public employee unions had long pursuing collective bargaining rights for child-care workers who get state subsidies. But Dayton's attempt to order the election prompted a lawsuit from several child care providers opposed to unionization, who were backed by conservative groups.

A spokeswoman says Dayton disagrees with Lindman's decision but respects it. She says the administration is reviewing the order.

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