Controversial MN Union Drive Moves Ahead

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Home health care workers in Minnesota are moving ahead with a union election, despite a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

Union organizers presented a petition to state officials Tuesday.

Last week, the Supreme Court ruled that similar workers in Illinois don't have to pay any union dues.

The 2013 Minnesota Legislature passed a bill that allows a unionization vote by workers who provide care to elderly and disabled people in their homes. Minnesota Public Radio News

reports more than 26,000 workers are eligible to vote, and the 9,000 cards delivered to the state Bureau of Mediation Services exceeded the 30 percent required to trigger an election.

Republican state Rep. Tara Mack of Apple Valley says she's disappointed to see the effort moving forward, especially after the Supreme Court ruling.