The hot-button issue of unionizing in-home child care providers has again landed in Gov. Mark Dayton's office.
Governor meets with child-care union opponents
Gov. Mark Dayton, who is considering a request to allow the unionization of in-home child care workers, is meeting with providers who oppose unionization.
By jimrags
November 10, 2011 at 10:47PM
A group of providers who oppose unionization is meeting with the governor Thursday evening at the Capitol. A spokesman for Dayton confirmed the meeting but said no decision is imminent on the issue.
Dayton has been approached by union officials who want to act as bargaining agents for in-home family child care providers. Two unions, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), have been trying to organize the providers. They approached the governor about recognizing the unions as bargaining agents.
Dayton has said he will not do that by executive order, as labor-friendly governors in several states have done, but he may authorize an election among providers.
The group meeting with Dayton includes providers who have argued the union model does not fit private, home-based businesses. The group has also requested that if an election is called, a majority of all 11,000 providers in the state be required to recognize the unions -- not merely a majority of those voting. They are also concerned about whether those who oppose unionization will be required to join.
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