What is a union?

A union is an organization of workers ("employees") at a workplace. A union aims to allow workers to bargain for changes at work democratically with management (the "boss").

How do I join?

We're using Signal to organize at the moment - it's free, encrypted, and allows us to protect ourselves by using pseudonyms and not sharing our phone numbers directly with others.

Please use basic safety hygiene on Signal. Use a pseudonym, and be sure to set your privacy settings to hide your personal information. The reason we use Signal is that it provides us all with a layer of protection against malicious actors - as long as we use it correctly.

What changes have other workers won at their workplaces?

Teachers, Nurses, and other workers have won huge gains from employers by unionizing, and light the way for ABA Workers who may be unfamiliar with what is possible. You may have seen nurses and teachers on strike in your city or on the news. Strikes are uncomfortable, difficult, and often necessary when the employer won't make changes workers need to survive and thrive.

Workers at hospitals, schools, dockyards, coffee shops, grocery stores, and major logistics and tech companies (like Amazon) have gone on strike to realize change at their work, including:

• Fair Pay: Wage increases beyond just cost-of-living - as high as 20% more for many workers

• Time Off: Meaningful Vacation time - 2 weeks of paid sick time, personal days, and paid time off with flex days in the event an employee is required to work on a holiday.

• Health Care: Health coverage with zero deductibles, zero coinsurance, and zero copay - the type of "health insurance" they have in other countries with nationalized healthcare systems!

• Protection: when management has a problem with a union member, the union rep. will be present to ensure the worker's rights are protected and to prevent discrimination, harassment, and unfair labor practices.

Take a look at some of the contracts other unions have won - and remember, these are legally binding, enforceable documents. These workers have won their union, and fought for a contract that works for them.

This is what's possible, and this is why a union is worth fighting for:

Is the ABA Workers Union (AWU) a real union?

Yes, and no. We're an organization of workers, but unions are by definition both legal entities and local organizations. This website and our chat is an organizing platform. The AWU is a place to safely connect with like-minded colleagues at your workplace. With your support, we can teach each other how to organize, fight, and win our union.

Who can be in a union?

The workers! In ABA, that typically means paraprofessionals, techs, RBTs, BCaBAs, BCBAs, and BCBA-Ds - anyone who isn't part of management.

Employers (management) cannot form a union since they already have the authority to decide who works where, with what, and how much someone gets paid. They can hire, fire, and act with autonomy when it comes to creating or enforcing company policy.

Many BCBAs have "supervisor" in their title, and can still join a union. If you are an ABA worker without the ability to hire or fire staff, you are eligible for union membership.

1099 contractors are a notable exception - but are still encouraged to join the AWU. Many industries employ 1099 contractors as a way to circumvent providing meaningful benefits while still having a steady, full or part-time workforce. If you are a 1099 contractor and want to fight for recognition for the work you provide, join us and the thousands of other works who are organizing to change the laws that prevent you from winning your union.

What does a Union Do?

A union is an organization of workers who want to change their work place for the better. Unions are a democracy, and as a consequence, rely on membership to drive change through voting.

Rank-and-file members of a union advocate for changes at general meetings, and if enough coworkers agree, a vote will be organized. With the majority of member support, unions can then bargain with the employer to make those changes a reality.