Quietly but insistently, the paraprofessionals of Bethel Park, Pa., are demanding a contract. The small union near Pittsburgh turned out upward of 100 members and supporters last fall for an orderly protest at a school board meeting.

But don't mistake their good manners for lack of seriousness. The Paraprofessionals and Aides Educational Support Unit of the Bethel Park Federation of Teachers has been without a contract since July 1, 2006, and they've had just about enough. Unit president Jan Sterrett pointed out the obvious-that classroom aides are not babysitters-and paraprofessional Annie Mesina testified before the board that the lapsed contract leaves employees "ignored and minimized." The board received their protest in silence.

The AFT-affiliated union had opened contract negotiations early in 2006, believing that the board understood the services paras provided and that a fair settlement lay ahead. Later, the federation was offered a 3 percent increase, but "3 percent of $80,000 is a lot more than 3 percent of $19,000." The paraprofessionals want hourly wage increases and a longevity adjustment.

The unit had accepted a wage freeze in its previous contract. "We were crazy, honest to Pete," Sterrett says now. Noting that her members live at the poverty line, she points out that many have credentials indistinguishable from those of teachers. "We have teaching degrees," she says, citing a board member who portrayed the paras as "housewives working for pin money."

Sterrett knows what such lack of respect means. "I lost 85 percent of my household income when my husband died" at age 53, she says. "I have to work four jobs just to get by. I would like to see a decent amount for what I do."

At the rally, teachers joined the school staff in protest.

The union also is enlisting the help of parents-especially those of special education students. "The school board is getting a lot of e-mails and letters, and they're not very happy about it," Sterrett says, "and the PTAs and PTOs are supporting us."

The paraprofessional unit has been talking with the administration since the rally and is hoping for a breakthrough.