Psychobabble BCBAs | The RBT Uprising: Episode 3

In the third episode of The RBT Uprising, Erica and Lauryn sit down with Collin Johnson, one of the lead negotiators for the Verbal Beginnings Union 639, to hear the story directly from someone who helped organize the first RBT strike in ABA history. Colin talks about his own experience entering the field, the working conditions that pushed him toward organizing, and what it was like to take the first steps toward unionization while facing uncertainty, intimidation, and union-busting efforts. The conversation gets into the issues that brought workers to the picket line: stagnant wages, inconsistent communication, inadequate PPE and supplies, limited career advancement, supervision, unpredictable working conditions, and the enormous turnover problem facing RBTs.  What happens to continuity of care when workers walk off the job? Collin explains why the workers believe improving working conditions is ultimately part of protecting continuity of care, not opposed to it. The episode also takes a hard look at the argument that providers' hands are tied by insurance and Medicaid reimbursement rates. What happens when an organization says it can't afford higher wages while simultaneously expanding into new locations? And what responsibility do large ABA providers have to the people delivering the majority of their direct services? Hosts: Erica Ranada & Dr. Lauryn Toby (The Psychobabble BCBAs) Presented by: Cooperant Learning (https://www.cooperantlearning.com) Creative Direction: Kevin DeKimpe (http://kevindekimpe.com) CEUs: Sparks Behavioral Services, LLC (ACE #OP-21-0004) is an ACE-approved provider of continuing education units for behavior analysts. You can earn continuing education units (CEUs) for listening to many of our episodes by visiting cooperantlearning.com! 🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7BTNqTaC0Qjfs62iKJqJXP?si=f8b4892d80904de6 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-psychobabble-bcbas/id6805913619 📺: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIUfs4kGgw-U 📸: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepsychobabblebcbas 🎬 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@psychobabblebcbas