Legislative foes of unionizing child-care providers may jump into a court fight on the issue.
The Senate Rules Committee meets Thursday to discuss Gov. Mark Dayton's executive order that set a vote among certain providers to determine if they want to unionize. Child-care providers who oppose unionizing are seeking an order to block the vote, saying Dayton exceeded his authority.
The Rules Committee, composed of Senate leaders, will discuss whether to file an "amicus" brief in support of the lawsuit. Two Republican Senate chairmen have discussed filing their own suit, but the strategy now is to join the existing legal action.
Dayton said he limited the vote to only those providers who care for children receiving state subsidies, and that they deserve the right to decide the issue for themselves. The vote is tentatively scheduled to begin Dec. 7. Oral arguments on the attempt to block the vote are expected on Monday in Ramsey County District Court.
