April Verrett is a labor union official working as the international president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Verrett was elected to that position in 2024, succeeding Mary Kay Henry who had led the union since 2010.

Verrett previously was the secretary-treasurer of the union and president of SEIU Local 2015, a large SEIU-affiliated local union in California that represents employees at long-term healthcare facilities, and has held other positions within SEIU local units prior. She is the first Black woman to lead the union and her election as SEIU president in 2024 was hailed by left-of-center advocacy groups, Democratic politicians, and unions as a symbol of “the labor movement’s renewed dedication to embracing diversity and equity, and commitment to fighting systemic injustices.” These left-of-center groups cited her work as a “champion” of anti-racism. ^{1 2}

Right-of-center critics stated that Verrett was poised to continue many of the controversial activities of her predecessor Mary Kay Henry, citing her “track record of promoting controversial leaders, fostering brutal work environments, and even union-busting.” ³

Early Career

April Verrett was born and raised in the Chicago area, and her official biography states that she is from the South Side of Chicago and was exposed to union organizing at an early age due to her grandmother being a union steward for SEIU Local 46. Little has been published about Verrett’s early career. ⁴

Among her first union leadership roles was working as the executive vice president of SEIU Healthcare Illinois and Indiana (SEIUII). From 2019 through 2022 she was the president of SEIU Local 2015, the largest local union in California and the second largest local union in the United States. Other positions she has held within the SEIU include international vice president, chair of the National Home Care Council, co-chair of the National Organizing Committee, and member of the Finance Committee. ^{5 6}

Other Activity and Affiliations

While leading SEIU Local 2015, April Verrett was appointed by California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) to sit on the Alzheimer’s Prevention and Preparedness Task Force in 2019 and on the COVID-related Taskforce on Business and Jobs Recovering in 2020. She has also been a member of the Committee for Greater LA, a coalition of union, nonprofit, and other leaders which formed in response to COVID-19. The Committee for LA released a No Going Back Report on the “multifaceted lives of Black people in Los Angeles” and created a Black Experience Action Team, with Verrett appointed as chair. ⁷

Verrett was elected controller of the California Democratic Party in 2021 and her SEIU Local 2015 biography stated that she “She prioritizes the development of the next generation of leaders [and] ensures that the Party is an actively anti-racist organization.” The same biography stated that “April’s emphasis on creating uncompromisingly anti-racist structures is especially evident in the culture of SEIU Local 2015. The local extends its commitment to racial justice in its hiring, purchasing, contracting, internal and external communications, and ensuring inclusivity for all members.” ⁸ She has previously sat on the boards of the Advancement Project California and Smart Justice California. ⁹

Accusations of Union Busting

Under April Verrett’s leadership, SEIU Local 2015 was involved in a contract battle with its staff union, Chapter 15 of the Pacific Northwest Staff Union. The unionized union employees went on strike, alleging that Local 2015 leadership was willing to “deploy union-busting boss tactics typically seen by anti-union companies and their executives.” ¹⁰

The same union members later filed a variety of unfair labor practice charges, accusing Verrett and SEIU Local 2015 management of “surveillance, assault, and intimidation” alleging a “culture of toxicity” that led to “high turnover, understaffing, and mental and physical health issues.” ¹¹

When Verrett became an officer of the national SEIU, staff members of the international union headquarters went on strike in 2023, accusing Verrett and Mary Kay Henry of deploying “corporate tricks and delay tactics” to avoid bargaining on a new labor contract. ¹²

1. “April Verrett, New President of SEIU: Championing a Modern, Anti-Racist Labor Movement.” SEIU 503. May 22, 2024. Accessed June 9, 2024. https://seiu503.org/member_news/april-verrett-new-president-of-seiu-championing-a-modern-anti-racist-labor-movement/
2. Alba, Monica. “Kamala Harris to speak at SEIU convention set to elect the union’s first Black president.” NBC News. May 18, 2024. Accessed June 9, 2024. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/kamala-harris-seiu-union-first-black-president-rcna152823
3. Bozzello, Charlyce. “Op-Ed: SEIU Won’t Be Better Off Under New Leader.” Center Square. May 23, 2024. Accessed June 9, 2024.  https://www.thecentersquare.com/opinion/article_9fceb280-1909-11ef-bcbe-1ffba25f6858.html
4. “April Verrett, New President of SEIU: Championing a Modern, Anti-Racist Labor Movement.” SEIU 503. May 22, 2024. Accessed June 9, 2024. https://seiu503.org/member_news/april-verrett-new-president-of-seiu-championing-a-modern-anti-racist-labor-movement/
5. ^[1] “April Verrett, New President of SEIU: Championing a Modern, Anti-Racist Labor Movement.” SEIU 503. May 22, 2024. Accessed June 9, 2024. https://seiu503.org/member_news/april-verrett-new-president-of-seiu-championing-a-modern-anti-racist-labor-movement/
6. “April Verrett – President.” SEIU 2015, August 2, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20220121084159/https://www.seiu2015.org/who-we-are/leadership-team/april-verrett/
7. “April Verrett – President.” SEIU 2015, August 2, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20220121084159/https://www.seiu2015.org/who-we-are/leadership-team/april-verrett/
8. “April Verrett – President.” SEIU 2015, August 2, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20220121084159/https://www.seiu2015.org/who-we-are/leadership-team/april-verrett/
9. “April Verrett – President.” SEIU 2015, August 2, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20220121084159/https://www.seiu2015.org/who-we-are/leadership-team/april-verrett/
10. Bozzello, Charlyce. “Op-Ed: SEIU Won’t Be Better Off Under New Leader.” Center Square. May 23, 2024. Accessed June 9, 2024.  https://www.thecentersquare.com/opinion/article_9fceb280-1909-11ef-bcbe-1ffba25f6858.html
11. Bozzello, Charlyce. “Op-Ed: SEIU Won’t Be Better Off Under New Leader.” Center Square. May 23, 2024. Accessed June 9, 2024.  https://www.thecentersquare.com/opinion/article_9fceb280-1909-11ef-bcbe-1ffba25f6858.html
12. Bozzello, Charlyce. “Op-Ed: SEIU Won’t Be Better Off Under New Leader.” Center Square. May 23, 2024. Accessed June 9, 2024.  https://www.thecentersquare.com/opinion/article_9fceb280-1909-11ef-bcbe-1ffba25f6858.html