As we honor the leaders who are rewriting the script for the American workforce, I am thrilled to welcome a true visionary to the Legal Lens Podcast. April Verrett is the President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), an organization representing over 2 million workers across North America. In 2024, April made history as the first African American to lead SEIU, bringing a lifetime of advocacy and a “boots on the ground” perspective to the highest levels of labor leadership.
April’s journey is one of profound connection to the working class. From her early days on the South Side of Chicago to her transformative leadership in Los Angeles, she has consistently fought for the “invisible” workers who keep our society functioning. In this episode, we go behind the lens to understand what drives her to wake up every day and fight for a more equitable future.
Listen to the Full Conversation with April Verrett Here:
Navigate the Episode:
- 02:43 – April Verrett’s background and what motivates her
- 05:39 – What is SEIU and who does it represent?
- 08:23 – The mission of SEIU and the “Vision for a Just Society”
- 10:17 – The intersection of AI, care work, and the aging population
- 12:00 – Organizing gig workers and ride-share drivers
- 14:14 – Why the labor movement is more relevant than ever
- 16:05 – SEIU’s “Protagonist Strategy” and policy initiatives
- 21:40 – Challenging corporate greed and economic exploitation
- 28:13 – The state of women in leadership within the labor movement
- 33:29 – A final note of hope and courage
A Legacy of Struggle: The Making of a Leader
April Verrett’s commitment to labor isn’t just professional; it is a legacy passed down through generations. Growing up in a working-class home, she watched her grandmother navigate the complexities of poverty while serving as a leader in her own right. This lived experience provided April with an intimate understanding of the “Peter to pay Paul” reality that millions of Americans face today.
She carries these stories with her into every boardroom and legislative hearing. For April, the fight for higher wages and better benefits is actually a fight for human dignity and the recognition of the inherent value of every worker, regardless of their zip code or background.
“I grew up poor, right? I never worried about having a roof over my head, but surely my grandmother worried about how to rob Peter to pay Paul… being rooted in that struggle, having lived through that struggle, representing millions of workers today who still live that struggle… I just know I was called to be a part of building power for working people.” — April Verrett
Defining the Modern Union: More Than Just Hard Hats
When many people think of a labor union, they picture a specific demographic in a factory setting. However, April Verrett is quick to point out that SEIU represents the modern face of labor: predominantly women, people of color, and immigrants. These are the healthcare workers, janitors, and school employees who provide the essential care that our economy relies upon.
By embracing this diversity, SEIU has created a powerful coalition that speaks multiple languages and represents a vast array of life experiences. April emphasizes that this diversity is not just a statistic; it is the union’s greatest strength, allowing workers to step into their full power by bringing their whole identities to the table.
“Our members are predominantly women. They are majority people of color. We’re largely immigrant… we represent an extremely diverse set of workers who bring their full selves. We encouraged you to bring your full identity to your union because that is how you step into your full power.” — April Verrett
The Mission: Achieving a Just Society
Under April’s guidance, SEIU has expanded its mission to address the root causes of economic inequality. This includes a dedicated focus on ending systemic and structural racism, which April identifies as a primary barrier to progress for all working people. The union’s “Vision for a Just Society” is a roadmap for a future where poverty wages are a thing of the past.
This mission requires more than just bargaining at the table; it requires a fundamental shift in how society values labor. By centering the voices of those furthest from the centers of power—like home care workers who were once considered “unorganizable”—SEIU is proving that collective action can dismantle even the most entrenched systems of exploitation.
“It is our mission to end poverty wage work forever… it’s our responsibility to end systemic and structural racism that holds all of us back, regardless of the color of your skin… we know that if we wanna get to the just society that we envision, it’s gonna take all of us and it’s gonna take centering those of us in our society that is furthest away from the center of concern.” — April Verrett
Care Work in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
As the conversation around Artificial Intelligence (AI) dominates the tech world, April offers a sobering and hopeful perspective on the future of work. While automation may threaten many sectors, the “human touch” required in care work remains irreplaceable. With a rapidly aging population, the need for home care and nursing home workers is set to explode.
April’s goal is to ensure that these “future-proof” jobs are transformed into family-sustaining, middle-class careers. By centering our economy around care work, we can create a sustainable path for workers to retire with dignity while providing the essential services our families need.
“Those jobs cannot be taken over by artificial intelligence. And so, how are we working to make that work? The work that’s gonna stay right here, middle-class work, family-sustaining work… that creates an economy that is centered around care work, like I think some of the most important work that happens and work that’s not going anywhere.” — April Verrett
The Protagonist Strategy: Reclaiming the Narrative
One of the most exciting aspects of April’s leadership is the shift toward an “offensive” vs. defensive strategy. Rather than simply reacting to corporate attacks or legislative setbacks, SEIU is adopting what she calls a “Protagonist Strategy.” This involves setting the terms of engagement and forcing corporations and politicians to take a clear stand on the side of working people.
This strategy is about empowerment. It encourages workers to see themselves as the heroes of their own stories rather than victims of circumstance. By demanding accountability for corporate greed and highlighting the human cost of economic exploitation, SEIU is inviting millions of Americans back into the civic conversation.
“We gotta go on the offense, we gotta set the terms of engagement. I wanna talk about why people can’t put milk and bread on their table. I wanna talk about why the cost of rent is too damn high… I call it a protagonist strategy… I want the American people to be their own heroes.” — April Verrett
The New Face of Leadership: Women at the Helm
April’s rise to the presidency of SEIU is part of a larger, historic movement of women taking the lead in major labor organizations. From the AFL-CIO to the United Steelworkers, women—and specifically Black women—are stepping into roles once dominated by a very different demographic. This shift is already changing the types of issues that receive national attention, such as childcare funding and maternal health.
For April, being the “first” is an honor, but the true measure of success is ensuring she is not the “last.” She is committed to opening doors for the next generation of leaders who will continue the fight for money, power, and respect.
“I just think we are stepping into our power in incredible and amazing ways, and I’m just so proud to be a part of it… all of the great women, as we say in church, if we forgot to name you, charge it to our heads and not our hearts… it’s all good being the first, the flex is not being the last.” — April Verrett
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I have dedicated my career to helping litigants resolve their legal disputes through the mediation and dispute resolution process, and by helping dissect the legal issues that shape our public discourse and workplace dynamics, whether it be as a radio and podcast show host, or as a legal analyst in the news. My mission as the host of the Legal Lens radio show and podcast is to empower you with objective, expert-driven insights born from years of practice at the intersection of law and society.
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This communication is not legal advice. It is educational only. For legal advice, consult with an experienced employment or civil rights law attorney in your state or city.