UDW Administratorship Approved

SAN DIEGO

United Domestic Workers of America (UDW)-NUHHCE, an AFSCME affiliate representing more than 60,000 home care workers in California, was placed under an administratorship in July after AFSCME International discovered gross financial mismanagement and corruption in the union. That means the International will exercise day-to-day management until financial integrity is restored.

U.S. District Judge Barry Ted Moskowitz, who approved the takeover when it was challenged by the leaders the administratorship had removed, said "there is evidence that UDW's financial problems are intertwined with corrupt practices and self-dealing by UDW officers." An internal AFSCME investigation found that UDW Pres. Ken Seaton-Msemaji and Sec.-Treas. Fahari Jeffers spent the union into bankruptcy, racking up more than $4 million in liabilities while filing false financial records.

Western Regional Dir. Flora Walker, a former AFSCME International vice president, was appointed to head a new, temporary management team. She applauded a court ruling placing UDW under AFSCME control, calling the action "a first step toward putting UDW on firm financial footing and strengthening the union in every way."

Adds Walker, "This administratorship will not last a day longer than necessary. Our goal is to make sure home care workers win the best wages, benefits and working conditions they can."

Since the new team took over, UDW has already made gains: In Riverside in mid-August, beating back an SEIU effort to raid UDW home care workers, members voted overwhelmingly to ratify the contract AFSCME negotiated for them. It provides for benefit protections and represents a 27 percent increase in wages since 2003.