Head Start Teachers, Teacher Assistants, Teacher Associates, and Housekeepers are all represented by SEIU Local 199. HACAP administers the Head Start program over a six county area in Southeastern Iowa. Head Start workers formed a union in 1998 when they simply got tired of not being included in any management decisions that affected their daily lives. Since they organized a union with SEIU Local 199, they have won back holidays that had been unilaterally taken away, and they successfully negotiated a first year pay increase ranging from 4% for higher paid workers to 8% for the lowest paid workers. They believe they must continue to make improvements considering that many workers still qualify for many of the services that Head Start provides to the community.  SEIU members realize that our kids are our future.