Minnesota Child Care Providers Vote Down Proposed Union

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Child care providers in Minnesota have overwhelmingly voted against unionizing.

Tuesday's tally of ballots showed providers voted 1,014 to 392 against forming a union.

The vote would have allowed eligible child care providers to join AFSCME, a major public employee union. The union would have bargained with the state over reimbursement rates, training and working conditions.

In 2013, the then-Democratically controlled Legislature and Gov. Mark Dayton approved the union push in a bill.

Republicans have vehemently opposed the push for unionization, arguing it would increase child care costs.

In a statement Tuesday, Senate Republican Minority Leader David Hann said Senate Republicans will now push to have the law repealed.

Reports say union proponents said they wouldn't pursue another union election before the law expires in 2017.