Grad workers at Auburn University rally for liveable wage increase

This article was originally published on the WTVM website on April 9, 2025.

AUBURN, Ala. (WTVM) - A group known as Auburn United Campus Workers is advocating for higher wages for Auburn University graduate workers and staff members.

The group consists of graduate students who work for the university. They held a rally at Toomer’s Corner Wednesday morning, asking the University President and Chief Financial Officer to raise wages to help with the increasing cost of living.

“It’s definitely a widely felt issue and we want to make our voices heard to the President and CFO,” said graduate student Brooks Howe.

Over the past several years, prices have gone up, making groceries, gas, and the overall cost of living more expensive. Employees across the country feel the need for a raise, and one group in Auburn is gaining lots of support.

“For hourly workers, we’re demanding $17.50 an hour, and that’s for full and part-time workers,” said Roman Vasquez, another graduate student.

The group’s members are mostly graduate students working in various departments on Auburn University’s campus. Group leader Brooks Howe says hourly employees are paid a minimum of $15.00 an hour, but graduate workers are still only paid the minimum $7.25 an hour.

“The cost of living in Auburn continues to rise as they build new apartments and the prices of food continue to go up,” Howe said. “We don’t believe $15 is livable at this point. We also don’t believe the graduate stipends that some people are making, which can be as low as $15,000 a year, are livable at all.”

The group delivered a petition to Auburn University on Wednesday with over 600 signatures. The petition demands a minimum wage of $17.50 an hour for all employees—full-time, part-time, and graduate level—as well as a graduate stipend of $25,000 a year. Roman Vasquez says these benefits to employees will also help retain talent in Alabama.

“Even if you’re not a university employee, no matter where you work, there’s a benefit to unionizing,” he said. “We’re stronger together, and in these uncertain times, all we can depend on is each other.”

Auburn University did accept the group’s petition.