ROCKVILLE, Md.—This summer, a group of 33 Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) in Rockville, Md., made a bold decision to go on strike after their employer, Verbal Beginnings, refused to negotiate a fair contract for over a year.
These workers provide vital early intervention and special services for children on the autism spectrum. Represented by Teamsters Local 639, they took to the picket line to fight for recognition, better pay, and better working conditions.
As of publication, the workers have been on strike for seven weeks. People’s World interviewed five of the striking workers on the picket line: Collin Johnson, a senior technician, and technicians Angelica Zatino, Jane Bruno, Lynnette Santos, and Tim Shandle.
Why are you on strike?
JOHNSON: “I am out here because we have been fighting for our contract for about a year and a half now. The company has not been willing to negotiate in fairness, despite what they say to the public.”
ZATINO: “We’re fighting for higher pay, fair pay, and quality care for the kids. Verbal Beginnings is making it seem like we’re here just for the money. If it was really for the money, we would have left and gone somewhere better. But our passion is here with the kids and seeing them progress and grow.”
BRUNO: “It started about a couple years ago. There were a lot of different issues very prevalent not just in Rockville but in our field in general. We are underpaid, and we are underequipped in terms of PPE (personal protective equipment). We didn’t have gloves, hand soap, or paper towels.”
Since a substantial amount of work with kids between one and five is potty training, workers are made to carry out the task without gloves, soap, or paper towels.
What are your demands?
JOHNSON: “Wages are a big one; we can’t support ourselves. This is Montgomery County, one of the most expensive places to live in the state.
“The company has not been willing to give a raise to their technicians in the past four years. We’re not asking for the world. We’re just asking to get by.”
According to Johnson, Verbal Beginnings’ starting wage is $20, capping at $24. The MIT cost of living calculator shows a single adult in Montgomery County needs $29.28 an hour to cover basic expenses.
ZATINO: “We think that it’s disgusting that they’re painting us out to be greedy. The least that we’re asking for is a dollar raise. We’re just asking for a livable wage, and I think everybody deserves that.”
She added: “I currently have a two-year-old. I am unable to put her into daycare because the pay at Verbal Beginnings is not enough. It’s barely enough to cover bills.”
SANTOS: “RBTs are behavioral therapists. We are healthcare, but we are not treated as other healthcare workers. We would like the same respect. We would like to be treated fairly.”
Do you feel confident the union will win?
SHANDLE: “I don’t feel nervous that we’re gonna win because the company cares about two things, and that’s their image, and that’s their paycheck. So we’re hurting their bottom line by being out here, and we’re doing a lot to their image as well.”
“We’re gonna be out here until we win,” he added.
How can people support the union?
SANTOS: “If you could call them and tell them to negotiate fairly, we would appreciate that so much.
“If you see us, please interact with us. Please repost us. We’re trying to spread awareness. Hopefully we don’t only make a change at Verbal Beginnings, but [cause] other companies to take a look at themselves too.”
Anything else you want people to know?
JOHNSON: “If we give up now, it’s all for not and these kids go back to receiving subpar services from technicians who are gonna be leaving within a few months of arriving. We won’t accept that; we won’t back down. Thank you.”
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