AFSCME Council 5 Applauds Child Care Ruling

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Union officials applaud a federal judge's ruling which allows them to continue organizing home-based child care providers in Minnesota.

Judge Michael Davis on Sunday ruled a pair of lawsuits seeking to halt the unionization effort were filed prematurely. Davis dismissed both cases and refused to impose a preliminary injunction on a new law allowing the drive.

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 5 spokeswoman Jennifer Munt says child care providers can now decide for themselves if they want to join a union. Munt says uniting in a union will give providers greater access to health, safety and educational tools.

Democrats who control the Legislature approved the union-organizing drive in May. The proposed union would cover some 12,700 providers who take care of children who are subsidized by the state.

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