The Service Employees International Union (SEIU), chartered in 1921, stands as a global force representing over two million workers across diverse sectors, from healthcare to government services, and from custodians to taxi drivers. With women comprising over half of its membership and minority groups making up approximately forty percent, SEIU exemplifies a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Edited by LuÍs LM Aguiar and Joseph A. McCartin, this collection of essays delves into the heart of one of contemporary labor’s most vital organizations. Contributors explore pivotal moments, recurring themes, and defining characteristics of the union’s recent history, assessing SEIU’s impact as a union with ambitious global reach.

The book is structured into three key sections:

Growth and Evolution: Tracing SEIU’s expansion throughout the last and current centuries.
Key Campaigns in the United States: In-depth analyses of transformative movements like Justice for Janitors and the Fight for $15.
Global Impact: Examining SEIU’s representation of low-wage workers in Canada, Australia, Europe, and Brazil.
An insightful interview with Stephen Lerner, the architect behind Justice for Janitors, provides a fitting conclusion to this comprehensive volume.