Oakdale Child Care Providers Respond to Governor's Call for Union Vote

Oakdale home daycare provider Danielle Dick said she doesn’t feel she needs union representation, but she supports giving fellow child care providers the option to take part.

Dick said she’s never had trouble taking time off and she’s happy with her working conditions, but she hears other home daycare providers complain that they’re not so lucky.

Licensed Minnesota home child care providers who receive government subsidies will get ballots by mail asking whether they support establishing union representation under an executive order issued Tuesday by Gov. Mark Dayton. Even if the union is established, membership will be optional, according to a press release from the governor’s office.

Minnesota Senate Republicans are opposing the vote, saying Dayton is overstepping his authority.

Oakdale daycare provider Rose Mary Aleshire said she’d rather not see the government get more involved in child care providers’ businesses.

“I would just as soon keep things as they are,” Aleshire said. “I’ve never had any problems with my daycare through the years.”

Aleshire’s been providing child care off and on for 30 years, for as many as seven or eight children. 

She said she could see where providers who are getting government subsidies might want union protection, though.

“Maybe they have a legitimate reason,” she said. “I’ve just had wonderful relationships with my parents through the years.”

Rep. Nora Slawik (DFL-Maplewood) said providers she's heard from are looking for the opportunity to pool health insurance and retirement plans, and bargain collectively with the state to get a fair child care reimbursement rate.

"I strongly support the right to vote on this," she said.