I've been working for the public endowment of a big university for 4.5 years and they always act like they're strapped for cash. The university has labs set up in public schools and community centers, where we teach science and agriculture. Recently they've been adding more work to my job without increasing my pay. I've been teaching classes on my own and writing new curriculum, which is not part of my job description. One of the classes I started teaching is a 6 week dairy education program. I thought this was going to be a one time thing but they're continuing the program and it's become a new part of my job.
Initially I didn't bring up getting paid more for this work because I thought they couldn't afford it. I was wrong. In a meeting I was told that they have enough money to continue the program and they used some of that money to order a $10K gelato making machine from Italy for one of the public schools. They easily could've bought a cheaper ice cream maker, that was made in America, and raised my salary. But I think they're trying to show off.
I only have one coworker in the lab and my boss works elsewhere, I rarely see him. My coworker went back to school so he only comes in 2 days a week, leaving me alone to work 3 out of 5 days. I'm doing the work of 2 people most days and only getting paid for one.
I asked my boss for a raise a while ago, before Covid, and he agreed to it. When the time came for a raise, it didn't happen so I brought it up to him. He acted like we never had that conversation and I was being ridiculous. I'm not sure if he was gaslighting me or if he genuinely forgot, he's older and forgets things.
So now knowing that there is money being thrown around I think it's passed time for some to be thrown my way. How should I go about asking for a raise again? I was thinking to do it in writing this time, through email, but I'm not sure what to say or how to word it. I'm also unsure if I should CC my boss's boss on the email. My boss's boss is more likely to level with me than my boss is.
Quitting isn't a real option as I have great benefits and work/life balance. I'm also in a niche industry and there aren't many other jobs in my field in my area. The other jobs in my field are terrible places to work and they pay only slightly better with much more work, including working weekends. Staying put is my only option right now, and I like my job. I just don't like feeling like I'm being taken advantage of.