The senior RBTs of Brightpath Behavior, formerly known as ABA Connect, South Austin would like to formally request a wage increase for all RBTs currently employed by BrightPath Behavior. 

Recently there has been a very significant turnover in staff resulting in an increase of responsibilities on more experienced RBTs. New staff appear to be receiving minimal training and frequently rely on us for assistance with clients. While we are happy to help, it is much more draining being responsible for multiple clients at once. We want to continue to contribute as much as we have been but are not being compensated for what seems to be expected of us. Some, but not all, of these additional duties include:

• planning/leading group activities for less experienced therapists while direct with our own clients
• cleaning up after newer RBTs
• assisting newer RBTs with managing bx
• ensuring client safety and dignity for clients of newer RBTs when BCBAs aren’t available to supervise

At this point, many of us have been here longer than some members of leadership and know our clients really well. Alongside providing assistance to newer BTs/RBTs, we  have been doing our best to support the new BCBAs. However, it has become a concern that there has been a lack of coordination/communication between BCBAs while transitioning clients. We recognize that this is not intentional on the BCBAs’ parts, but it does pose an additional responsibility on to the RBTs, who are already underpaid as is. 

Some other aspects of the job that merit an increase in wages:

• little admin time (usually don’t have client materials available, no one to assist w transitions, or help clean messes)
• run out of cleaning supplies every month
• limited budget (short on supplies)
• frequent sickness spreading throughout clinic (poses risks to employee’s health & we have very little allotted time off)
• lack of communication between scheduling and payroll resulting in missing pay 

Additionally, the parking situation is a significant source of anxiety while at work. The bingo lot is not the safest for us or our vehicles. We appreciate leadership being willing to offer rides to and from the lot but that doesn’t alleviate concerns about the safety of our property. There have been multiple occasions where RBTs have been stopped by suspicious cars while walking from the lot and instances of stolen belongings. We recognize that leadership has been working on finding alternatives but for the length of our employment thus far, we have been expected to leave our cars in the lot and hope for the best.

A lot of us are struggling to make ends meet which, despite our best efforts, impacts the quality of therapy we are able to provide. “The living wage in Austin, Texas for the fiscal year 2024–2025 is $21.63 per hour” which is why we are requesting clinic wide raises for newer RBTs to $21 per hour and $22 per hour for RBTS who have been here for 1 year or more while direct with clients. Any RBTs already earning that amount or more can be more fairly compensated by receiving a raise of $2 per hour while direct with clients. (https://www.austintexas.gov/faq)