Teacher aides and health aides in Buffalo Public Schools are beyond frustrated with the fact they haven’t had a contract since June 2012 – that’s almost eight years.

“This is the 21st century. You should be able to work on job and maintain your household. This is not what's happening with our unit," said JoAn Sweat, president of BEST: Buffalo Educational Support Team.

Sweat has been leading the charge.

At a Buffalo Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, she was one of many who spoke how school aides need to provide for their families.

"Putting us at 11 percent below the poverty line due to inflation, rising costs, and lack of wage increase," she said. 

School aides' jobs aren’t easy. 

"Guess what he did: he spit in my face. I was even pushed down the stairs. But I don't give up on our kids," said a female teacher aide at the meeting.

Nathaniel Kuzma, general councilman with the Buffalo Board of Education, says the board is prepared to get to the table with BEST – the second largest collective bargaining unit in Buffalo.

"Our board will support a contract that is fair, equitable, but takes into account where the market is at in terms of health insurance," Kuzma explained.

However, Kuzma says there has to be give and take with both parties.

A timeline for a contract is unclear.

"We've got 10 unions we are bargaining. We’ve got five or six in contract and bargaining with four others. I will not set a timeframe on it," he said.

Despite no clear deal in sight, Sweat says BEST will not give up.

"And we'll be here every board meeting until we get a contract," Sweat promised.