In two weeks, child care workers will vote on whether or not to unionize. But a meeting Monday revealed many unanswered questions for the state's 11,000 day care providers.

American Crystal Sugar Co. officials say the company's chief executive officer will not be attending a proposed meeting with locked-out union workers, the Associated Press reports. The union has invited Crystal Sugar CEO Dave Berg to an Aug. 16 gathering that union negotiator Steven Bertelli described as an "informative, constructive discussion that could contribute to productive negotiations."

Supporters on both sides of the union issue packed a hearing in St. Paul to argue allowing home child care workers to organize. Opponents of the idea say it will change the profession for the worse and make it harder for employers. Supporters say a union will help workers get a wage that matches their skills.

Employees at American Crystal Sugar have been locked out for 85 days now. Some union members say they're hopeful they can negotiate a deal when talks resume Monday. One company executive told the Fargo Forum he expects the union will make significant movement away from its original positions.

Governor Mark Dayton is calling for a union vote among daycare workers. He’s issuing an executive order paving the way for the vote. State officials say the vote’s results should be tabulated before Christmas. Republican lawmakers say the order exceeds the governor’s power and plan to challenge its legality.

The vote is restricted to those who receive state subsidies to care for children. Opponents say if there's going to be a vote, everyone should be included.

State Sen. Mike Parry of Waseca says he thinks the governor does not have the authority to sign an executive order authorizing a union vote because the state's day care workers are independent contractors.

The judge issued a restraining order preventing the union election Dayton had authorized last month. Opponents argued Dayton didn't have the power to order an election.