On consulting

I need to get this off my chest. Recently I changed my job status from part time employee to consultant. I receive more money but no days off vacations or benefits. I work the same amount of time. I don't need the benefits because of Medicare but I previously was paid in lieu of benefits. What realy irks is the way that schools treat consultants--not the admistration or the staff who really seeem to value what I do, but the finance people. Three schools have delayed payments to me beyond what is reasonable. After seven weeks and three invoices I still have not been paid by one school district. They claim each payment must be approved by the Board. This itself is wrong. Boards should set policy, not get into operations. Perhaps it is the recession. Pennsylvania delayed passage of its education budget until just recently but it now has passed and I remain unpaid. I didn't appreciate the Union I was forced to join in my previous position but I do now. Teachers wouldn't stand for non-payment. I guess I could go on strike but it wouldn't even be noticed. Consultant? Just a euphemism for second class citizen.