Historic Breakthrough: SEIU Elects First Black Woman Leader
The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) has elected April Verrett as its president, marking the first time a Black woman will lead the second-largest union in America. Verrett’s election was announced on Monday, coinciding with the kickoff of the 2024 SEIU International Convention in Philadelphia.
Diversity and Inclusion at the Forefront
Verrett’s victory signals a renewed dedication to embracing diversity and equity within the labor movement. The SEIU press release stated, “April’s ascent to the presidency of SEIU breaks barriers and sets a precedent for inclusive leadership. It signals to union members and the broader community that the voices of women and BIPOC communities are valued and needed at the highest levels of leadership.”
“I’m profoundly grateful to lead this union and continue the fight to ensure no working person is left behind,” Verrett told ESSENCE.
Advocating for Worker Rights and Economic Justice
With a membership of 2 million spanning healthcare, public sector, and property services, the SEIU has been a powerful advocate for workers’ rights and economic justice.
Verrett pledged to amplify these efforts, stating, “We’re going to fight to win worker power by writing new rules to make sure we all have a seat at the table and to end poverty wage work forever.”
Underscoring the significance of Verrett’s election, Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a keynote speech at the SEIU convention. Harris commended the union’s legacy, saying, “SEIU has ‘been on the front lines of every major expansion of rights for the American people.'”
Overcoming Historical Exclusion in Labor Movements
While Verrett’s presidency marks a milestone, the labor movement has grappled with issues of diversity and inclusion throughout its history.
As noted by Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, “Different unions at various times have either welcomed diversity as a matter of principle and moved to build inclusive organizations, or have adopted strategies of exclusion in efforts to control the supply of labor.”
A Catalyst for Inclusive Representation
Verrett’s ascension to the SEIU presidency is a catalyst for inclusive representation, as she emphasized, “For too long, far too many workers, particularly women and women of color have been written out and written off in this economy. A union card isn’t just a ticket to a better life – it’s a ticket to a better world.”
As the first Black woman to lead the influential SEIU, April Verrett is poised to spearhead a transformative era, amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and championing economic empowerment for all workers.
