Missouri judge blocks certification of union election

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A Missouri judge has temporarily blocked the certification of a union election for in-home care providers to the elderly and disabled.

The order by Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem comes in response to a lawsuit alleging election irregularities and violations of Missouri's open-government laws.

Although the restraining order was issued Tuesday, neither the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations nor the new Missouri Home Care Union mentioned it when announcing Wednesday that the unionization vote had passed.

The order was brought to the attention of The Associated Press on Thursday by an attorney for Integra Healthcare, which filed the suit.

A hearing is set for Aug. 4 on whether to grant a preliminary injunction against certifying the election.