ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A federal judge has dealt another loss to opponents of a Minnesota unionization drive by refusing to halt the launch of a home-care union while a lawsuit proceeds.

Federal Judge Michael Davis denied the request of nine plaintiffs Wednesday, saying they haven't adequately shown their First Amendment association rights are infringed upon. He says issuing an injunction would "constitute an unwarranted intrusion of the federal government into the state's affairs."

In August, personal care attendants for the elderly and disabled voted to authorize representation by the Service Employees International Union. The union could cover up to 27,000 people, but opponents won't be forced to join or pay dues.

The lawsuit challenged the same law that also permitted a child-care worker union drive. Legal efforts to stop that push have failed.

More From AM 1240 WJON