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Senate panel wants to block child-care union vote

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Dec 2, 2011 at 8:02 am

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - The Minnesota Senate Rules Committee has joined an attempt to block child-care union elections ordered by Gov. Mark Dayton.

The committee, made up of top Senate leaders, voted 6-1 Thursday to join a lawsuit filed by opponents of unionizing in-home child-care workers. The Star Tribune reports the vote was along party lines, with all Republicans supporting it and the lone Democrat present voting against it.

The resolution accuses Dayton of exceeding his legal and constitutional authority.

A group of child-care providers opposed to unionization, backed by a coalition of conservative groups, filed suit last Monday to block the order. A court hearing is set for Monday, with the mail-in election tentatively scheduled to begin Wednesday.

Dayton has said he has been advised that his order is within his authority.