The UDW is bound by its Constitution and the Constitutions of its parent unions, AFSCME and NUHHCE and therefore pursuant to the minimum dues increases provision of the AFSCME constitution we must adhere to any dues increases by the parents.  Accordingly, the UDW will be raising monthly dues beginning with deductions in January 2008.  We know how hard you work for your money but we believe the UDW still has the lowest dues of any union in California.  This increase is small - ranging from $1.05 to $4.20 per month.

Please note that the paid hours that the dues are based on have changed and a number of providers will actually see a decrease in their dues.  Check the chart below for the hours you are paid in a month to determine your dues decrease or increase:

 Public Authority (Independent Provider) Contract Dues:

More about your dues

How your dues are spent

How an IHSS recipient feels about union dues

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PEOPLE: This is AFSCME's voluntary federal political fund, and is designated for legislative and political activities at the federal level. The reason we need to support AFSCME in their political work is that they are a huge union (1.4 million members) and basically our power - as workers - is in unity, size of membership, and a voice in the legislature. Most important, UDW and home care workers must have a strong voice in Washington, D.C. because half of the money for our home care program comes from the federal government. Politicians (particularly at the federal level) must and do listen to large voting blocks and to expert lobbyists. If we want to protect our current wages and benefits, gain additional funding for further wage increases, and win all the other benefits that home care workers need, including sick leave, holidays, vacations and pension, we must have ongoing representation in Washington , DC as well as in Sacramento, California. Read more about the PEOPLE fund on AFSCME's website.

Initiation Fees: The one-time membership initiation fee is $25 for new members and is applied when their union contract goes into effect. The initiation deductions are taken out in two separate paychecks in sums of $12.50 per check. It has been the practice of UDW to waive the initiation fee for workers who have been voluntary dues-paying members for at least six months prior to the start of the new contract.

The United Domestic Workers has worked with the California State Controller's Office for over three years to create itemized dues and fees on pay-stubs issued to IHSS Workers. Project Charter, a 3-year effort between UDW, SEIU, and the California State Controller's Office established the practice of itemizing In-Home Supportive Services Program deductions in IHSS workers' checks.

Up to this point, the State Controller issued IHSS paychecks with all union deductions added together into one lump sum including regular dues, Initiation Fees, etc. rather than listing each deduction separately so workers would know exactly what they were paying and how much they were paying for each item.

Checks issued after Sunday, Oct. 16, 2004 itemize all deductions, meaning workers see dues, initiation fees, etc. as separate, individually listed deductions.

Following is a sample of what now appears on the pay-stubs: