United Domestic Workers of America

United Domestic Workers of America is a labor union that represents in-home support services (IHSS) providers, child care providers, and other domestic workers in the United States. The union is affiliated with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and has collective bargaining agreements with several California counties, including Los Angeles County, San Diego County, and Sacramento County. The union's members provide critical services to Medicaid recipients, Veterans Administration beneficiaries, and other individuals with disabilities or chronic illnesses, often in partnership with organizations like the National Council on Aging and the AARP.

● History

The United Domestic Workers of America was founded in 1993 by a group of in-home support services providers who were seeking better wages, benefits, and working conditions. The union's early leaders, including Linda Denton and Douglas Moore, were inspired by the Labor Movement and the Civil Rights Movement, and they drew on the experiences of other unions, such as the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the United Farm Workers (UFW). The union's growth was also influenced by the work of labor activists like Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, and Mary Kay Henry, who have fought for the rights of low-wage workers and immigrant workers. Today, the union has over 10,000 members and is one of the largest and most influential unions of its kind in the United States, with relationships with organizations like the National Domestic Workers Alliance and the International Labor Organization.

● Organization

The United Domestic Workers of America is a democratic union that is governed by its members, who elect their own leaders and set the union's policies and priorities. The union's leadership includes a president, vice president, and secretary-treasurer, as well as a board of directors that represents different regions and constituencies, such as the California State Association of Counties and the National Association of Social Workers. The union also has a staff of organizers, representatives, and administrators who work to support its members and advance its goals, often in collaboration with other unions, like the California Nurses Association and the Communications Workers of America. The union's headquarters is located in San Diego, California, and it has offices in other parts of the state, including Los Angeles and Sacramento, where it works with organizations like the California Department of Social Services and the California Department of Health Care Services.

● Membership

The United Domestic Workers of America represents a diverse group of domestic workers, including in-home support services providers, child care providers, and other caregivers who work in private homes and community-based settings. The union's members come from a variety of cultural backgrounds and linguistic communities, and they include immigrant workers from countries like Mexico, Philippines, and Vietnam, as well as African American and Latino workers who have been historically marginalized in the labor market. The union's membership also includes workers with disabilities and LGBTQ workers, who face unique challenges in the workplace and require specialized support and advocacy, often from organizations like the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund and the Human Rights Campaign. To address these challenges, the union has established partnerships with organizations like the National Organization on Rare Disorders and the World Institute on Disability.

● Activities

The United Domestic Workers of America is actively engaged in a range of activities to promote the interests of its members and improve the quality of domestic work. The union negotiates collective bargaining agreements with public agencies and private employers, and it advocates for policy changes that benefit domestic workers, such as increased funding for in-home support services and child care programs, often in collaboration with organizations like the National Association of Counties and the American Public Human Services Association. The union also provides training and education to its members, including workshops on labor rights, health and safety, and professional development, and it offers support services like case management and benefits counseling, often in partnership with organizations like the National Employment Law Project and the Workers' Rights Consortium. Additionally, the union participates in coalitions and alliances with other labor unions and community organizations, such as the AFL-CIO and the National Council of La Raza, to promote social justice and economic equality.

● Notable Cases

The United Domestic Workers of America has been involved in several notable cases and campaigns over the years, including a class-action lawsuit against the State of California to secure back pay and benefits for in-home support services providers, and a legislative campaign to pass the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights in California, which was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown in 2013. The union has also worked with other organizations, such as the ACLU and the NAACP, to challenge discriminatory practices and unfair labor practices in the domestic work industry, and to promote workers' rights and social justice in the workplace and beyond, often in collaboration with institutions like the University of California, Berkeley and the Harvard Law School. The union's efforts have been recognized by organizations like the Economic Policy Institute and the Center for American Progress, and have helped to establish it as a leading voice in the labor movement and the domestic worker rights movement.