SEIU 925

Family child care providers who wish to opt out of paying dues to support SEIU 925 simply have to fill out the form above and mail it to the union at the address provided. It’s a good idea to send the letter via certified mail or a similar service that provides you with proof of delivery.

Yes. Under state law, the union contract for family child care providers is binding on all providers in the state, regardless of whether they want to be union represented and regardless of whether they choose to pay union dues. Opting out of paying dues will in no way affect your ability to accept state-paid clients.

No. Health insurance is offered through the SEIU Healthcare NW Health Benefits Trust, not SEIU 925. Even though it has “SEIU” in the name, the Trust is separate from the union. According to its website, the Trust is “a nonprofit entity that operates independently of SEIU and participating employers.” The state pays the Trust every month to offer health insurance to entitled licensed providers. As long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements listed in Article 12.4 of the collective bargaining agreement, you will continue to be able to purchase insurance through the Trust even if you no longer pay union dues to SEIU 925.

According to federal filings, SEIU 925 collects 1.7% of its members’ salaries in dues, up to $1,440 per year. In 2020, the average member paid a total of $799.

No. SEIU 925 has arranged to be the “exclusive bargaining representative” for all family child care providers in the state, meaning that it is impossible for providers to get out of the terms of the contract, even if they cease paying dues.

Article 4.2 of the collective bargaining agreement even provides, “no provider shall be discriminated against, intimidated, restrained or coerced in or on account of the exercise of any rights granted by statute or this Agreement, or on account of membership or non-membership in or lawful activities on behalf of the Union.”

Yes. Under the state’s contract with the union, training and education scholarships, reimbursements and incentives are available to all providers, regardless of union membership status.

While the terms of SEIU 925’s contract will still apply to you and your relationship with your client and the state will remain unchanged as a nonmember of SEIU 925, you will no longer be able to participate in internal union affairs, such as attending union meetings, participating in contract ratification votes or voting for union officers.

SEIU Local 925

SEIU 925 does not function like a traditional union. It cannot represent providers in workplace disputes or grievances, because family child care providers have an employer-employee relationship with their families, not the state. The core of SEIU 925’s activity involves negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement with the state once every two years.

Despite its limited role, SEIU 925 collected $9 million in dues and fees from its members in 2020, according to reports the union must file with the U.S. Dept. of Labor.

In 2020 alone:

• $2.2 million went to the national SEIU headquarters in Washington, D.C., to support its massive political, economic and social agenda. The national organization regularly supports a host of controversial organizations.
• $1.1 million was spent by SEIU 925 on political activity and lobbying.
• $432,000 was spent on private attorneys and consultants.

SEIU 925 paid 73 officers and employees in 2020, nine of whom were paid six figures. SEIU 925 executive vice president Patricia Schroeder was paid $120,745.

Although it had a stockpile of $8.8 million in spare cash at the beginning of 2020, SEIU 925 increased the maximum dues amount members must pay from $115 to $120 per month. By the end of 2020, its cash reserves grew to $9.5 million.

SEIU 925’s most recent LM-2 reports are available here: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016.

A portion of the dues paid by SEIU 925 members goes to support the SEIU Washington State Council.

SEIU Washington State Council

The SEIU Washington State Council collected $1.6 million from its local affiliates in 2020.

In 2020 alone:

• $1.9 million was spent by the State Council on political activity and lobbying. Because it made major political contributions for years and failed to register and report as a political action committee as required by Washington state law, the Council was fined $250,000 in penalties and fees by state authorities.
• $56,000 was paid or contributed to largely ideological organizations.
• $12,700 was spent on private attorneys.

SEIU Washington State Council paid nine officers and employees in 2020. The executive director, Joan Jones, was paid $93,500.

SEIU WA State Council’s most recent LM-2 reports are available here: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016.

Lastly, a portion of the dues paid by SEIU 925 members also goes to support the SEIU national headquarters in Washington, D.C.

SEIU National Headquarters

The SEIU national headquarters collected $255 million from its affiliates in 2020. In that year alone:

• $60 million was spent on divisive political candidates, causes and lobbying.
• $2.9 million was paid or contributed to largely ideological organizations. This includes $410,000 donated to the Alliance for Global Justice, a left-wing, anti-capitalist organization that grew out of the Nicaragua Network, which supported the Communist Sandinista regime in Nicaragua.
• $2.3 million was spent on airfare, hotels and travel for union staff. SEIU’s hotel expenses included a $398,000 bill from a 4-star resort in San Diego.
• $26.5 million was spent on private attorneys and consultants.
• $150,000 was spent on food and catering.

SEIU national headquarters paid 583 employees in 2020, 295 of whom were paid six figures. SEIU international president Mary Kay Henry was paid $297,126.

SEIU national headquarters’ most recent LM-2 reports are available here: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016.