Trailblazing Election Signals New Era for Labor Movement
In an exciting move, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) made history by electing April Verrett as its International President. Verrett’s election marks the first time a Black woman will lead the influential 2 million-member union in its 103-year existence. This seismic shift underscores SEIU’s commitment to diversity, equity, and amplifying underrepresented voices.
“I am thankful that hardworking SEIU members have trusted me to lead this union as we unleash a new era of worker power,” said the newly elected Verrett. Her presidency signals organized labor’s evolution and the imperative to build an anti-racist future.
Leading with Vision and Lived Experience
Verrett, a seasoned activist raised by her union steward grandmother in Chicago’s South Side, understands firsthand workers’ struggles. Her conviction? Unions provide platforms to eradicate poverty, dismantle racism, strengthen democracy, and uplift communities.
“Working people are under attack…but the opportunity is meeting the momentum of young people of color showing us what’s possible,” Verrett declared. “Together, we can end poverty wages once and for all.”
Ambitious Goals to Elevate Worker Power
Unveiling a bold 10-year vision, Verrett aims to unite 1 million new SEIU members by 2034. Sectoral victories across industries will raise standards, particularly for historically excluded workers. Tomorrow, she will keynote SEIU’s convention, where a resolution cementing this vision faces a member vote.
Prior SEIU roles showcased Verrett’s tenacity: serving as Secretary-Treasurer, leading strategic planning; helming nationwide unions representing long-term care workers and demanding corporate accountability; and chairing worker rights committees.
Alongside newly-elected Latina Secretary-Treasurer Rocío Sáenz, Verrett’s presidency exemplifies intersectional leadership. Their lived experiences as women of color propel SEIU towards realizing economic and racial justice.
Forging Ahead on Inclusion’s Path
As Verrett assumes the mantle of SEIU’s first Black woman president, her trajectory lights a path for the labor movement. Overcoming systemic barriers, she personifies the diversity workers nationwide seek in their advocates and representatives.
Her presidency encapsulates SEIU’s aspiration: building an equitable future where workers from all backgrounds can access prosperity through collective action. This milestone amplifies that clarion call across America’s workplaces.
