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that many Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) and ABA organizations are navigating across the country.
As the situation unfolds, it raises broader questions about the future of the ABA workforce. Could this be an isolated event, or the beginning of a broader shift in how ABA professionals advocate for workplace change?
On July 20, 2026, 33 Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) represented by Teamsters Local 639 initiated a strike after negotiations over a first collective bargaining agreement reached an impasse. The RBTs, who provide ABA therapy services in the Rockville, Maryland area, voted 33-1 to unionize in 2025 and, according to union representatives, have been negotiating with Verbal Beginnings for more than a year.
According to Teamsters Local 639 and the ABA Workers Union, the strike centers on concerns related to RBT compensation, scheduling, and workplace conditions. Union representatives allege that the company hasn’t made progress toward reaching an agreement. At the time of publication, Verbal Beginnings hasn’t publicly released a response addressing the union’s specific claims.
Based on public statements from Teamsters Local 639 and the ABA Workers Union, employees involved in the strike are seeking a first collective bargaining agreement that addresses concerns they say affect both workers and the quality of care they provide.
Among the priorities identified by the union are:
In a statement released by Teamsters, RBT Collin Johnson said:
The concerns raised during this dispute are unlikely to surprise many people working in ABA. For years, RBTs across the country have discussed workforce challenges, including:
The work RBTs do is incredibly valuable. They are often the face of ABA services, spending more direct time with clients than anyone else on the clinical team. When experienced RBTs leave the field because of burnout, financial pressures, or limited opportunities for career growth, providers are left to recruit and train new staff, while families may experience disruptions in care.
Of course, these challenges are not unique to Verbal Beginnings, nor are they the result of any single employer. ABA providers are also navigating rising operating costs, workforce shortages, and stagnant reimbursement rates. As a result, employees and employers are often trying to solve the same workforce challenges from different perspectives.
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Historically, unionization has not been common in private ABA organizations. However, the Verbal Beginnings strike has brought increased attention to conversations about worker advocacy, compensation, and workplace conditions within the field.
As the demand for autism services has grown, the ABA workforce has expanded rapidly. At the same time, many organizations continue to navigate the challenge of balancing employee expectations with the financial realities of delivering care.
The question now is whether the Verbal Beginnings strike represents an isolated event or the beginning of a broader shift in ABA. Labor organizing can provide employees with a formal process to negotiate issues such as wages, benefits, scheduling, and workplace policies. At the same time, unionization is only one approach to addressing workforce concerns.
Regardless of how the negotiations at Verbal Beginnings are ultimately resolved, the situation provides an opportunity for ABA organizations to reflect on how they support and retain the professionals who deliver the services.
Here are a few areas ABA providers may want to evaluate:
For the employees involved, the focus remains on reaching a first collective bargaining agreement that addresses the concerns raised during negotiations. Organizers with Teamsters Local 639 are encouraging supporters to contact Verbal Beginnings at (855) 910-6147 and ask the company to return to the bargaining table with a proposal addressing workers? concerns.
Whether this strike becomes a turning point for labor organizing in ABA or remains an isolated event, it has brought renewed attention to the challenges facing the ABA workforce. The future of the field will depend on finding sustainable ways to support the professionals who provide care while also addressing the operational and financial realities faced by ABA organizations.
ABA Resource Center will continue monitoring developments in this story and will update this article as additional information becomes available from Verbal Beginnings, Teamsters Local 639, or other parties involved.
Editor’s Note: ABA Resource Center contacted representatives involved in the labor dispute seeking additional comment. At the time of publication, responses had not been received. This article will be updated if additional information becomes available.
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