BREAKING: Sen. Koch Applauds Judge's Ruling to Block Union Vote

Ramsey County Judge Dale Lindman has issued a temporary restraining order today (Monday, Dec. 5) to halt the child care provider unionization election ordered by Gov. Mark Dayton.

Ballots were scheduled to be mailed this week, and the election was set for completion by the end of the year, according to members from the two unions asking for unionization.

Lindman's issuance, the result of a lawsuit involving allows for a hearing on the subject on January 16, 2012.

Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch (R-Buffalo) issued a statement in support of the judge's decision.

“I am pleased to hear Judge Lindman agreed to block the day care union election, ordered by Gov. Dayton, from proceeding this week. The unionization of child care providers has been a long-time goal of AFSCME, and SEIU and the governor’s attempt appears to be payoff for political support he received from those unions in the 2010 election,” Koch said.

Detractors have said the vote was too limiting, particularly when only those receiving child care assistance funds from the state would be eligible to file a ballot. That's only about 40 percent of the state's more than 11,000 providers. 

“Minnesota’s private child care providers represent the type of entrepreneurship that we encourage in today’s economy. What we don’t need is government overreaching into an already highly and carefully regulated industry to expand the power and influence of public union organizations in the state. Decisions regarding our children’s care should be made between parents and their child care providers. I will continue to support small businesses and work to prevent out of control government interference in their efforts to grow and create jobs,” Koch said. 

Saville agreed with Sen. Koch, saying the crux of the case was avoiding misrepresentation during state negotiations. 

"Look at all we have been able to achieve, as providers, without a union," she said. "There's no reason for it."