ROCKVILLE, Md. — Nearly 100 striking Teamsters, members of Local 639, and their supporters, held a lively rally outside of Verbal Beginnings here Aug. 27. “Who are we?” shouted one striker, “Teamsters!” the pickets yelled back.
Verbal Beginnings is a privately owned Applied Behavior Analysis treatment facility that specializes in the care of children from ages 1 to 6 on the autism spectrum. The 33 registered behavioral technicians who work there voted overwhelmingly to unionize in 2025. They have been fighting for a contract, along with higher wages, a guaranteed 40-hour workweek and safe working conditions for themselves and the children they serve. Workers told the Militant that they don’t always get the equipment they need to work with these vulnerable children, like gloves, masks and diapers.
The workers are the first group of behavioral technicians to unionize and strike in the U.S. They’re fighting for their first contract at Verbal Beginnings. In the sixth week of their strike, they are winning support in the labor movement and among parents. “I am here to support these guys. This company not only doesn’t treat their workers right, they don’t treat the children or the parents right either,” Brandon, whose child is enrolled at the facility, told the rally.
Fighting for something bigger than themselves has changed these workers. Collin Johnson, a leader of the strike, said, “First and foremost we are fighting for the well-being of the kids we work with. Every one of us cares deeply about the work we do, and we just want to be compensated and respected to be able to serve our community to the best of our abilities.” Johnson thanked the Metropolitan Washington AFL-CIO and its affiliates for coming to the picket line.
Brittany Bucksell, 20, another union leader, spoke at the 2026 Teamsters Women’s Conference, held in Washington Aug. 23-26. “I can’t say it hasn’t been nerve-wracking. No amount of ‘research’ could have prepared me for the first day” on strike, she said. “But we came with a passion and it’s been nothing but passion on the picket line for six weeks.”
“These workers show up for vulnerable children in one of the country’s most expensive counties,” William Davis, president of Local 639, told the media. “And they deserve a contract that recognizes their dedication, skill and sacrifice.”
Participants at the protest included members of the Montgomery County Education Association; Metropolitan Washington AFL-CIO; UNITE HERE Locals 23 and 25; American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 709; the DC Labor Chorus; and members of the Sheet Metal Workers union.
Workers from Compass Behavioral Group in Richmond, Virginia, another ABA facility, sent greetings. They have followed the example of the workers in Rockville and organized and won a union. Spirits at the rally were high.