Governor Dayton’s Baleful Influence on Labor Relations
By Brian Bakst/The Washington Examiner
A Ramsey County judge on Monday blocked a unionization vote by Minnesota child care workers that was to get underway this week, saying the issue must go through the state Legislature.
Attorneys for the plaintiffs argued that the Democratic governor exceeded his powers with the executive order setting up the election.
“If unionization of day care is to become the law of Minnesota, it must first be submitted to the lawmaking body of the state,” Judge Dale Lindman said after hearing three hours of testimony.
Lindman also said he was “bothered” that less than half of the state’s 11,000 in-home child care workers were eligible to vote in the election. Eligibility was extended to about 4,300 providers who are currently licensed to receive state subsidies to care for low-income children.
