Washington, DC – Following is a statement from Rebecca Dixon, president and CEO of the National Employment Law Project, on the announcement that the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) President Mary Kay Henry will step down.
“NELP offers its congratulations and deepest gratitude to SEIU President Mary Kay Henry, who today announced that she will step down from her position in May after fourteen years of exemplary leadership.
“Under her leadership, the SEIU launched the overwhelmingly successful Fight for $15 and a Union, which has revolutionized minimum wage campaigns, ballot initiatives, and legislation across the country. Since 2012, more than 26 million workers have won higher pay to the tune of $150 billion. Nearly half (46 percent) of the benefiting workers are workers of color; additionally, the racial wealth gap is now narrower in states that raised wages since 2012 than in states that did not.
“A life-long organizer, President Henry knows how important it is to be led and inspired by workers, which is why her work and her leadership have such deep passion and integrity.
“In announcing her retirement, President Henry rightly notes that the SEIU is rich with next-generation leaders who are dynamic, multi-racial, and ready to pick up the baton. They will no doubt continue to be inspired by her barrier-breaking leadership.
“NELP is honored to be in deep partnership with the SEIU as we fight to build a good-jobs economy for all working people, and we are particularly indebted to President Henry. We thank her for her leadership, but equally importantly, we thank her for her friendship.”
