Who We Are
Workers at Compass Youth Services (operating in Virginia as Compass Behavioral Group) began organizing in December 2024 for better working conditions.
While Compass makes millions in revenue, its workers live paycheck to paycheck. Cancellations mean no pay for the clinicians - even if they show up ready to work. If workers do not maintain a billable hours expectation - even if they never miss a scheduled session - they can lose their health insurance, putting older workers or workers with medical conditions at risk of losing access to the life-saving medications.
During inclement weather, workers are expected to continue operations "as long as they feel safe." At Compass, cancelling a day's worth of sessions means you don't get paid. You must choose between risking it and driving in a snowstorm or staying safe in the apartment whose rent you won't be able to pay that month. Each winter, a clinician is involved in a weather-related accident. This year, one clinician's car was totaled when they skidded while driving in a rural area.
The company has a policy of passing any liability off onto the shoulders of their workers - and so, we decided we would stand up, not just for ourselves, but for ABA workers across the country.
Behavior Technicians (referred to as "clinicians"), RBTs, BCaBAs, and BCBAs demanded change on April 9th, 2025, capturing a mandatory company meeting and airing their concerns with the location director, Hope McMaster (BCBA). While management promised to rectify our concerns swiftly, no action has been taken since. So on June 11th, 2025, we voted YES to unionize.
What We Stand For
- A living wage for clinicians (RBTs, behavior technicians)
- Paid sick and holiday time
- Cancellation protection
- Stable schedules
- Balanced caseloads
Working in this field isn't easy - and we don't expect our jobs to be perfect. However, with turnover rates higher than 50% per year, families face a revolving door of technicians, and BCBAs cannot keep up with the demand to train new technicians. For the future of the company and the field of behavior analysis, we demand better.
The Company's Union Busting Tacts
Compass has hired not one, but two union-busting "consulting firms," harassed membership, and fired one of our lead organizers. They continue to make life difficult in the hope they can wear us down - but we continue to stay strong, united with our allies, and determined to see a vision of ABA that is compassionate to both consumers and workers alike.
How You Can Help
We don't need money, but we do need your time. Share our story with others. Let folks know Compass is a union-busting company. Call on Compass to sign a fair contract that guarantees workers the rights they need to not just survive, but thrive at work. End the revolving door of clinicians. Clinicians aren't temporary or disposable workers - they're the backbone of ABA, and Compass needs to recognize that.
