On April 1st, 2026, management at Aspire Learning Center pulled a sick prank: they fired their employee and labor organizer, Noah Byrnes.
We're calling on community allies to rally behind Noah and express their outrage at Aspire Learner Centers' management for firing Noah after 2 years of loyal service, with no work-related write-ups - until he helped organize a supermajority to vote yes for the union on March 11th, 2026.
Who is Noah Byrnes?
Noah is a Behavior Technician (BT), specializing in working with autistic kids. Crucially, Noah is also a key leader of the union's organizing committee. The workers at Aspire won a stunning supermajority vote in March, unionizing their clinic and affiliating with Teamsters Local 25. In an attempt to discourage the workers from asserting their rights, Aspire launched a brutal anti-union campaign in the lead-up to the vote. Noah and his colleagues began organizing due to management's ineffective communication, low pay, and policies they feel are harmful to their students.
What Happened?
As an BT, Noah is required to implement a BSP (behavior support plan). According to all witnesses, Noah followed the plan to the letter: positioning himself close to the client in case the situation became unsafe.
Sean Lilly, BT, reported:
"Noah was body positioned just fine with him, adhering to the BSP.... Our clinical director pulls him aside. He tries to invoke Weingarten. She won’t let him. A few minutes later, he comes back in the room to get his stuff and says, 'I’ve been sacked.'"
BTs must often put their body on the line to protect their clients - in this case, Noah had proactively positioned himself near a client during a high-risk situation to ensure he was ready to help the client access alternatives, emotional supports, and redirect to another activity.
When a client is overstimulated, every second counts - so positioning like this is crucial for safety. It is not a restraint - it's proximity.
Noah put his job on the line for his coworkers when he joined the organizing committee - and he showed the same courage and compassion for his clients, too.
Injuries are common in the field of ABA, and while the workers at Aspire are advocating for better safety and training standards, they will not hesitate to put themselves in harm's way to protect a client.
"I sat next to a kid to position myself to block in case he escalated. That’s why I was fired. A brilliant example of how they blatantly lie and manipulate people to get their way. The more we can spread the truth, the better."
— Noah Byrnes, organizing committee member at The Aspire Learning Center.
An Injury to One is an Injury to All
We have seen countless examples of companies engaging in illegal union-busting tactics to suppress workers and maintain exploitative conditions, all so they can pad their bottom line.
Workers like Noah put people over profits. Noah put his very safety and livelihood on the line for others - and now we are calling on our community to support Noah now that he needs our help.
We Need Your Support!
Solidarity is a verb - let's take collective action and show management at Aspire that Noah is not alone. Let's help him continue the fight for fair pay, safe working conditions, and a compassionate future for ABA therapy.
Here's how you can help Noah:
1. Donate
❤️🔥 Noah's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/7decfdd56
Any amount helps - even a symbolic donation of just a dollar shows Noah that one more person is on his side. Times are tough, and it feels like we're all passing the same $1 back and forth during crises like this one.
If you can't donate right now, check out some of the other ways to support below!
2. Sign Noah's Reinstatement Petition
✍️ Sign the Petition (Google Form)
Collecting signatures sends a powerful message to
Tell Aspire What We're All Thinking!
We've made it easy for management at Aspire Learning Center to know that we want them to stop union-busting and that we collectively and respectfully demand Noah's reinstatement.
👉 Respectful Sample Language & Contacts Here 👈
3. Call Aspire's Office Line
📝 Example Phone Call Script (Google Doc)
Politely remind them that the community supports Noah Byrnes.
4. Email Jessica Blutstein (Aspire's CEO)
💌 JBLUTSTEIN@ASPIRELEARNINGCENTER.ORG
📝 Example Email Language (Google Doc)
Kindly tell Jessica that the leader of an ethical ABA company shouldn't commit unfair labor practices.
5. Email Samantha LaPointe (Aspire's VP)
📧 SLAPOINTE@ASPIRELEARNINGCENTER.ORG
📝 Example Email Language (Google Doc)
Samantha fired Noah after 2 years of excellent service, with no prior write-ups or disciplinary record. Cold, Samantha, Cold. Let's respectfully point that out when we contact her.
6. Call Em' Out on Social Media
🔗 Aspire Learning Center on Instagram
💬 Slide into their DMs
📢 Comment on their posts
📝 Example Social Media Posts (Google Doc)
For once, posting online will actually be useful and good for society. Please follow Instagram's Terms of Service and keep it clean.
7. Share a Flyer
🪧 Post or Repost Our Flyers on Social Media
👇 Download or Print Em' Out + Share With Your Networks
The first flyer is a rapid response put out by Teamsters Local 25; the next two were created by the AWU.
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✊ THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT & SOLIDARITY!