The story of independent Michigan childcare providers being part of a union has made national headlines.
Midland's Mackinac Center Legal Foundation has filed a lawsuit on behalf of some of the providers saying they were forced into a union.
It also says, the union is hijacking dues from state subsidy checks.
Tuesday, NBC25's Dan Armstrong sat down with union representatives who tell quite a different story.
UAW Local 7127 represents more than 40,000 Michigan childcare providers.
The vote to unionize was conducted in late 2006.
Of the more than 40,000 members, around 6,400 voted.
That's around 16%. Of that 16%, more than 92% voted yes.
While the Mackinac Center says some didn't understand and were unaware it was a union vote, union officials say it was fair and square.
Union representative Rebecca Hardesty says, "They had the option to vote on this. So what can i say? I will do all I can for them even if they object to the union."
Union officials say the majority of childcare providers say they talked to welcomed them with open arms and that they don't understand why some people are complaining.
Hardesty says, "They were so excited. I just had very few people that had objections to a union. We mailed out cards to everyone."
The union says the biggest issue its addressing is communication.
It says, before joining the union, childcare providers had a difficult time getting their questions answered with the Department of Human Services.
Hardesty says, "Providers could not call the case workers and talk to them about why they weren't receiving their checks for a month, two months sometimes."
The union says, it fights on behalf of childcare providers for more money from the state, better training and education, and quality of care.
The union showed NBC25 several documents illustrating the meetings, correspondence, and training it provides for its members.
Union representative Lu Hilden says, "We really need to stick together, get an even playing field, fairness, and build our communities strong."
The union asks, if the organizing of more than 40,000 childcare providers was so controversial, why are there only a handful of members complaining?
It says, it's simply providing a service that gives the group a larger and more powerful voice.
Hardesty says, "The stronger the providers are, the stronger our children are."
Judges dismissed the case brought by the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation in which it tried to stop DHS from taking out the 1.15% membership due from subsidy checks.
The Mackinac Center has asked the judges to reconsider.
