WWU students unionize, citing unreliable health care, poor pay

When Lexy Aydelotte finished her undergraduate degree in history at Western Washington University, she figured the smart next step would be to earn her master's degree in the same spot. She secured a teaching assistant position in the department, which provided a tuition waiver and a stipend of about $5,000 each quarter. Aydelotte, who commuted from Lopez Island, quickly realized the stipend would not cover her bills, so she kept her job as a paraeducator in the school district on the island.