Letter to the editor: Daycare unionization attempt ruled unconstitutional

To the editor:

If you were among those who were concerned about Governor Dayton and his union friends telling Minnesota daycare providers how to run their business, I have good news to report.

Recently, a Ramsey County judge struck down Governor Mark Dayton’s attempt to unionize private, in-home child care providers in Minnesota, calling the move “unconstitutional.”

You’ll recall last year, Governor Dayton signed an executive order calling for an election to determine whether private child care providers should unionize, then prohibited most providers in this state from having a vote by limiting the election only to those who received state subsidies.

This election will not take place now that Judge Dale Lindman ruled “the governor is attempting to circumvent the legislative process and unionize childcare providers by executive order, rather than by adhering to a valid legislative process.”

This is a victory for all of us who stood up to Governor Dayton and two powerful unions and told them their political action would ruin in-home daycare as we know it. Union bosses have no business telling a daycare provider how much to charge, how many children to care for, and how to manage their operation. This ruling ensures that daycare providers will continue to make these decisions on their own.

My thanks to every provider and parent who made their voice heard on this issue. You can rest easier knowing that Governor Dayton and the unions have been forced to stay on the sidelines, and that daycare providers can continue doing what they do best: Providing quality care for your children, without government interference.

State Rep. Mary Franson

Alexandria, MN

Tags: opinion, osakis