Parent Denise Gronert has five children, two of whom are adopted and have special needs caused by the trauma from their background.

“It has been difficult for them,” she said.“It is insulting that people who support them are not being supported.”

It was important all teachers assistants, gardeners and cleaners were given a worthy pay rise, Ms Gronert said.

“The gardeners look after the grounds and the cleaners clean up after the school,” she said.

“Without the assistants the schools wouldn’t operate. This is insulting and sub-standard.”

The education assistants, school cleaners and gardeners have been offered a 2.5 per cent increase while teachers got 20 per cent

“To add insult to injury, some public sector executives have been paid bonuses of up to $90,000,” Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union (LHMU) secretary Dave Kelly said on Tuesday.

“These workers earn no more than $35,000 a year.”

Allanson Primary School teachers’ assistant Alison Kononen said on Friday the school support workers would continue to follow their union’s directions.

Teachers at the school had been very supportive, she added.

Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray attended the rally and said the proposed pay increase did not match other government agencies.

“It is inconsistent with police and nurses’ increases,” he said.

“It is just beyond me. Premier Colin Barnett has said the pay increase is not adequate, but he has not done anything about it.

“The workers may have to take industrial action unless the Government puts in a reasonable offer.

“I will continue to urge the Government to rethink this proposed pay rise, which equates to about 44 cents an hour.”

LHMU South West organiser Lee Edmundson said the union had negotiations with the Government on Thursday. “The Government is refusing to negotiate in good faith,” he said.