April Verrett, SEIU President
April Verrett is a fighter for working people and a visionary leader at the forefront of building a modern-day labor movement that is anti-racist at its core.
Member Spotlight: April Verrett, SEIU
AFJ-member organization, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is a powerful labor union of 2 million dedicated members united by the belief in the dignity and worth of workers and the services they provide. It’s dedicated to improving the lives of workers and their families and creating a more just and humane society. And no one exemplifies the spirit and resourcefulness of that fight more than its new president April Verrett. A life-long champion for working people, Verrett was elected the first Black woman president of SEIU on May 20, 2024, following two years serving as secretary-treasurer.
At a time of such uncertainty, it’s more important than ever that organizations committed to protecting the rights of all people come together. AFJ is excited to continue our labor and economic justice work with SEIU and Verrett, who has always been guided by her belief that unions are a transformative force capable of eradicating generational poverty, dismantling structural racism, strengthening democracy, and uplifting the lives of workers and their communities.
“… Make no mistake – working people are under attack and the stakes have never been higher; but the real challenge and opportunity of leading our union in this moment is meeting the momentum of workers across the country – especially the young people of color – who are showing us what’s possible,” Verrett said during her convention acceptance speech. “I’m energized and honored to take on that challenge, and I believe that together we can end poverty wages once and for all.”
In just the last few months, Verrett continues to lead on major initiatives to strengthen the worker movement, including fighting for higher wages, protecting Medicaid from greedy billionaires, helping workers form unions, and finalizing a historic labor partnership that saw SEIU rejoin the AFL-CIO after 20 years.
Hailing from Chicago’s South Side, Verrett was raised by her grandmother, a Union Steward for SEIU Local 46. Her grandmother instilled in her the values of perseverance, collective action, and the importance of community — principles that have shaped her leadership and vision throughout her career at SEIU.
Verrett has held pivotal roles within SEIU, including serving as Secretary-Treasurer, where she spearheaded the union’s strategic planning for the future. As President of SEIU Local 2015, California’s largest local union and the nation’s largest long-term care union, she championed the rights of over 400,000 long-term care providers in nursing homes and private homes across California. Her tenure as Executive Vice President of SEIU Healthcare Illinois and Indiana (HCII) saw her advocating for corporate accountability and fair taxation. Additionally, she has chaired the SEIU National Home Care Council, co-chaired the National Organizing Committee, and served on the Finance Committee, demonstrating her leadership across various critical union functions.
With a bold vision and unwavering commitment to justice, Verrett’s leadership is fueled by her life experiences and a deep conviction in the power of collective action. She believes that true strength lies in diversity and that meaningful change is possible when people unite across racial and societal divides.