Dallas, TX — In a video released today by the Freedom Foundation, Shequita Chamberlain, an in-home healthcare provider for her mother, exposes how SEIU 2015 has trapped her in union membership despite never joining, and has continually ignored her requests to opt-out.

Chamberlain has been trying to leave SEIU 2015 since 2021. She has sent four certified letters, called repeatedly, emailed, and even showed up in-person at SEIU 2015’s headquarters—only to be turned away under supposed COVID protocols. 

“I’ve been trying to opt out. I’ve gotten no response from the union whatsoever,” she explains, “I never signed to be in a union in the first place. It’s like I’m being held hostage.” 

Chamberlain, who has been caring for her mom since 2012, highlights the compounding frustrations she faces: “Along with the stressors of taking care of my mother, it’s another stressor to not be heard by a union who I thought cared about me.”

Chamberlain’s story reflects an ongoing issue among caregivers across California. To this day, she has received no response from anyone—except the Freedom Foundation: “Once I explained to them, you know, I was still fighting to try to get them to stop taking the dues out, they put me in touch with their legal team. The Freedom Foundation has been great.”

Earlier this year, the Freedom Foundation filed  36 unfair labor practice (ULP) charges against Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 2015, SEIU Local 721, and United Domestic Workers of America (UDW/AFSCME Local 3930) on behalf of California homecare providers, including Chamberlain.

Watch the full video here.