Child care providers will vote in union election

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_5056

15 November 2011

ST. PAUL - Governor Mark Dayton issued an executive order Tuesday authorizing a union election among licensed, in-home child-care providers who participate in the state’s Child Care Assistance Program.

The governor’s authorization means 4,300 providers will have 14 days to vote on whether they want a union, and their mail ballots will be counted before the end of the year. If successful, providers will be able to negotiate with the state over standards, funding, quality, and other issues that affect their livelihoods and the care they provide.

AFSCME Council 5’s Child Care Providers Together expects to win an election among 2,300 providers in the northern two-thirds of the state, including Hennepin, Ramsey, and St. Louis counties.

SEIU’s Kids First is organizing providers in much of the southern one-third of counties, including Anoka, Olmsted and Stearns. Providers have been organizing with AFSCME and SEIU for six years.


Clarissa Johnston says a union will help providers improve the quality of their profession.


FULL story at link.