That was the message about 50 school support staff presented during a demonstration outside MP Michael Woodhouse's Princes St office in Dunedin yesterday.
The teacher aides, librarians, nurses, office managers and sports co-ordinators were among hundreds of support staff who gathered outside Government MP offices around the country.
Otago organisers said school communities throughout the region were behind them in their fight for fair pay.
Taieri College teacher aide and event co-ordinator Karen Ferguson said many support staff earned as little as $12.94 an hour - only marginally above the minimum wage of $12.50 an hour.
Mrs Ferguson said support staff were historically underpaid and their pay negotiations had come to a standstill, with the Government offering them a 0% pay rise.
Kaikorai Valley College teacher aide Linda Bates said the Government's stance sent a clear message to schools.
"What the Government is telling us by giving us no pay increase over the next three years is that they place no value on the work we do in the school environment.
"Schools couldn't continue to operate without school support staff."
Mrs Ferguson said support staff worked at the frontline of education and were essential in supporting children's learning and in the day-to-day management of schools.
The Government should not use the recession as an excuse for low pay.
Support staff have been collecting pledges of support from their school communities to present to local MPs.
They want to show the Government that while it may not want to recognise and acknowledge the value and skills of support staff - principals, teachers and parents do.
