DFL Lawmakers Revive Child Care Unionization

Democratic state lawmakers are introducing a bill to let some child care providers in Minnesota vote on whether to form a union.

Gov. Mark Dayton tried in 2011 to call a union election for daycare providers that care for children whose parents receive a state-child care subsidy.

But a Ramsey County judge canceled the election saying only the Legislature could call it.

The bill unveiled Monday calls that election. Its backers say a union would allow child-care providers to collectively bargain state subsidy rates.

Child care providers who get subsidies but don't want to be in the union would still have to pay 85 percent of monthly dues. Some providers opposed to a union say that would drive up daycare costs for parents.

The Minnesota chapter of the AFSCME union is helping organize the organizing push.

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