Workers at the Felton Institute, a nonprofit that provides social services for some of the Bay Area’s most vulnerable children, adults, and seniors, scored two big victories last month.

On December 9, Felton management recognized that the majority of unrepresented workers wanted to join their coworkers at the Felton Family Development Center as members of SEIU 1021. A state mediator certified the results of card-check election, the crucial first step for 348 Felton workers to improve their working conditions and wages through a union contract after years of organizing.

“This victory is important because it shows that as a collective we can come together and fight to have a say in our working conditions,” said Selena Olguin, a bilingual early interventionist. ”In times like these, it’s important to ensure that we have the security we need to safeguard our livelihoods not only for ourselves, but the people we serve.”

On December 11, workers at Felton’s Family Development Center in San Francisco, who have already been members of SEIU 1021 for years, ratified a hard-won new contract. Felton management had come to the table insisting on takeaways, including trying to take away some of the most basic union rights, like the right to bargain over changes to job descriptions, the elimination of programs, and the automatization or contracting out of jobs. 

For seven months, Felton union members stood united for fair wages, dignity, and real protections on the job. Together, they delivered a majority-signed petition to Felton management; held multiple rallies with city workers and union leaders; organized support from nonunion Felton workers; completed the first-ever Felton strike school; and held the line against takeaways and rollbacks.

In the end, they were able to beat back all the takeaways on the table, as well as scoring some important wins in the two-year contract:

• Strengthened union rights and protections, including new or improved contract language on temporary reassignments, classroom changes, planning days, and progressive discipline
• Strengthened language on layoffs, including securing severance pay
• $25 minimum wage retroactive to July 1, 2025
• 2% increase per year, for the first time without a wage reopener
• Improved longevity bonus

“I feel very proud and grateful. This was my first time participating in negotiations, and even though it wasn’t easy, we made important progress,” said lead teacher and bargaining team member Celia Villalobos. “We may not have gotten everything we hoped for, but we did win things that will truly benefit us. This process showed us that when we come together and fight as one, real change is possible.”

Congratulations to all Felton workers!