PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Bargaining sessions are ongoing between the Pinellas Educational Support Professionals Association (PESPA) and the Pinellas County School District. The support staff and union members are demanding a pay increase.

PESPA President Nelly Henjes stated that union members are requesting a minimum wage increase from $15 to $18 per hour to help with inflation and the current cost of living. 

“We have a lot of employees homeless, that they cannot afford no more, and they lose a house because they cannot afford to pay the rent,” said Henjes.

Teacher's aide Lydia Guevara is saving money by being mindful of her meal expenses.

“If I don’t think about that, I’ll run out of money and I won’t eat anything,” she said.

After a long day at work, she is cooking a grilled cheese sandwich. Despite the exhaustion, she loves her job.

“So I think I do feel more invested in this because I am autistic and I can relate to their experiences. And so it means a lot to me that they get an education and the way they deserve,” she adds.

Guevara is struggling to pay her bills while also worrying about her own quality of life declining.

“I’m stressed about it all day, every day and, like, one of my friends, want to hang out and go somewhere. Like it’s just overshadowed by the fact that I don’t know if I can afford to do any of this,” she added.

After benefits are deducted from her paycheck, Guevara reports earning approximately $13.50 per hour. She manages to make ends meet by budgeting carefully and sharing her one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment with a roommate.

“I thought people who did jobs like this would be paid more,” said Guevara.

Guevara says her finances are maxed out, and she has to prioritize paying for housing over medical bills as the cost of living increases and inflation continues to be a concern.

“There are several doctor appointments that I need to make that I don’t know if I’ll be able to make them,” she said.

But she is worried that delaying her appointments could negatively affect her health in the long term. To stay active, she enjoys riding her bike.

“I need to stay healthy because I can’t really afford to be going to the doctor too much. I have chronic pain that I should be going to the doctor for. But, I remember that they told me that exercise helps, so I’m just going on and stuff,” she said.

She believes that being healthy will allow her to perform better for her students.

“I get to be outside exercising and I save on gas, too,” she added.

Guevara says she is worried that her current savings may not be enough

“As prices get higher, less and less people will be able to work this job,” said Guevara.

It all “adds up” to career uncertainty for Guevara.

She says her goal is to make a difference in students’ lives, so she’ll continue to look for ways to finance her own.

The next bargaining date for PESPA and the Pinellas County School District is on Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 4 p.m. at the Pinellas County School District Administration Building.