Minneapolis mayor vetoes plans for labor standards board

• The board was designed as a venue to propose new workplace protections for low-wage workers, though it would not have lawmaking powers.

Flashback: Frey initially supported the idea, even appearing publicly this year with the labor unions and worker rights groups that champion it.

• It passed the council last week with a veto-proof majority.
• The council must hold an override vote at its next full meeting on Dec. 5.

Friction point: The mayor broke with the council authors over concerns that the board's makeup and voting rules would leave its pro-business representatives overmatched by pro-labor voices.

• Industry advocates fear the board would lead to the city imposing unaffordable new regulations.

What they're saying: "Business participation isn't just important, it's essential," Frey said in a statement. "Under the council's proposal, business participation is negligible — and everyone knows that's not going to work."

The other side: Unions and worker rights groups argue the board would give employers and employees a venue for hammering out detailed policy compromises in specific industries.

Yes, but: Though the board wouldn't be able to institute policy, business groups believe any recommendation it makes would be too politically potent to ignore — especially for a labor-friendly council.

What we're watching: Frey's break with the council, combined with vows by four influential pro-business groups not to accept appointments, raise questions about how much influence the new labor standards board would ultimately have.