Childcare Providers Sue to Block Union

ST. PAUL  (AP) - A group of child-care providers backed by a coalition of conservative-leaning groups is filing a lawsuit to block a unionization election for some home-based day care providers.

An attorney for the group says he'll file the lawsuit Monday in Ramsey County district court. Ballots are scheduled to go out next week.

Eligible to vote in the election are about 4,300 child-care providers currently eligible for state child-care subsidies.

Critics say more than 6,000 providers ineligible to vote would still be affected by union actions. Gov. Mark Dayton ordered the election, and his office says ineligible providers could still participate in policy-setting.

But attorney Tom Revnew says Dayton lacks authority under state law to call an election. He says ineligible providers would face violation of their constitutional rights of equal protection.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)