Childcare Unionization Update

Here is a quick recap on the latest news regarding Governor Mark Dayton’s illegal effort to unionize independent small childcare businesses via executive order:

1)      Childcare workers after protesting at a rally and speaking at four different legislative hearings have brought a lawsuit against Governor Dayton and the Bureau of Mediation Services to prevent the forced unionization election by executive order of all 11,000 in-home childcare providers in the state of Minnesota while only allowing approximately 4300 to vote. The brief makes what Education Liberty Watch sees as a compelling argument that the executive order is illegal and unconstitutional under both Minnesota and federal law.

• See a discussion of the press conference for the lawsuit here and a copy of the actual complaint here.
• See video of the November 21st House Commerce Committee hearing chaired by Rep. Joe Hoppe here. The union representatives after being unable to answer any questions at previous hearings failed to come to this hearing at all and the head of the Bureau of Mediation Services who did come was unable to definitively cite any statute providing authority for this election.
• Listen to audio of the October 24th House Health and Services Policy Committee hearing here. and listen to audio of the October 24th House Commerce hearing here. (Follow links for October 24th hearings).
• See video of the full September 21st Senate joint Government Operations and Health and Human Services committee  here and a 13 minute excerpt here.

2)      Just hours ago, the Senate Rules Committee chaired by Majority Leader Amy Koch (R-Buffalo) voted to join this lawsuit by filing an amicus (friend of the court) brief on behalf of the these brave daycare providers. For details see this Politics in Minnesota article. Senator Dick Cohen (DFL-St. Paul) tried to make the committee’s decision about politics.  Senators  Koch, David Hann (R-Eden Prairie), and Warren Limmer (R-Maple Grove) did an excellent job of citing the fact that the governor is usurping legislative authority and legislating by executive order.

3)      A rally to show support the rights of these independent small business owners to remain free to provide their services without union or further government interference is planned for Saturday, December 3rd at 12 Noon at the Minnesota State Capitol rotunda. Please come and show your support for these business providers and parents. If Governor Dayton and the unions succeed in implementing this union by executive order, childcare costs will increase for parents already struggling in this difficult economy and other private businesses will potentially come under this forced unionization scheme both of which has happened in other states. For more details, please see and then distribute the rally flyer.

For more details please see our last alert and the Childcare Freedom website.