As everybody knows the cost of living has skyrocketed the past couple of years. My rent went up $300 a month this year in a major city in the US. Gas prices are up, cost of groceries are up too. After two years of no increase, my university announced an increase of our stipend by 3% this year (which equates to an additional $80 a month). It’s better than nothing but doesn’t come close to match the increase in cost of living in my city over the past couple years. I really want to get involved and start advocating for better pay for grad students at my university. I looked into the grad student union, and we have one, but it’s very low membership rates and is through some national organization which requires you to pay $15 monthly dues. I’m already practically broke so I don’t want to be shoveling more money out to join this union that I’m not even sure is legit or doing anything. Is this normal for other schools? Any other ideas about how to advocate for better pay for grad students?