SAN DIEGO — We are pleased to announce that ECS has successfully concluded negotiations with SEIU Local 221, the union representing our invaluable team of teachers and Head Start staff. On Wednesday, Jun. 28 SEIU finalized voting, resulting in the members ratifying a new contract.

Over the past few months, we have actively engaged in a collaborative dialogue with SEIU Local 221, focusing on how to best support our teachers and staff. Their commitment to shaping the minds and futures of our learners is a valuable part of our organization, and recognizing their contributions is a point of pride for us.

In these negotiations, we sought to ensure our dedicated professionals received a comprehensive package including competitive wages, bilingual pay, additional incentive pay, and other benefits that align with their critical work. We have worked diligently to negotiate terms that honor our team's commitment to ECS's mission and the impact they have on the communities we serve.

We extend deep appreciation to all involved in these negotiations, including Elizabeth Fitzsimons, CEO; Hazzy Pipo, VP of Administration; Stacie Perez, VP of Programs; Rosa Cabrera-Jaime, Director of Early Childhood Education & Family Services; Linda Borja and Leticia Alvarez, Assistant Head Start Directors; Pamela Flores, HR Manager; and Rhonda Hilliard, Head Start Manager. Your dedication to our mission has been crucial in reaching this milestone. We also want to acknowledge the tenacious efforts of Jim Ryan, our Lead Negotiator. Lastly, we thank the SEIU team for working with us on this effort.

To our teachers and staff, thank you for your patience and perseverance throughout this process. This successful negotiation emphasizes our commitment to you, the driving force behind our education work.

Finally, we are eager to continue our work together, cultivating an environment of mutual respect and support. Our goal remains the same: to empower each individual and family we serve with the resources they need to thrive. And with you, our dedicated staff, we are confident in the strength of our collective future.

Thank you for being a part of the ECS family.