Employees at Wells Fargo branches in Bethel, Alaska, and Albuquerque, New Mexico, have initiated efforts to unionize. They filed a petition on Monday with the National Labor Relations Board to hold elections for joining the Communications Workers of America’s Wells Fargo Workers United.
Only 1.3% of finance sector workers belong to unions, compared with 10% of the overall U.S. workforce, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
It’s not just tellers who want to organize. Sabrina Perez, a senior premier banker with nearly a decade at Wells Fargo in Albuquerque, said the decision to unionize stems from a desire to reshape Wells Fargo’s culture into one that values both workers and customers equitably and respectfully.
The move towards unionization gained momentum amidst operational challenges for banks that began during the Covid-19 pandemic. In Bethel, Wells Fargo and First National Bank of Alaska are the two main banks, and Global Federal Credit Union also has a branch in the town of 6,400 residents.
Earlier this year, Wells Fargo Workers United’s push for shareholder support in recognizing employees’ rights to organize and form unions received 36% backing.
The unfolding scenario in Bethel may signal a shift in the traditionally union-averse finance sector.
Fast way to close down the Bethel branch.
Bethel, as well as most communities everywhere, will or would be better served by any bank NOT named or directly associated with Wells Fargo.
Do a little research into Wells Fargo. They are the poster boys for banking industry dysfunction.
The bank itself, values customers and employees equally well, which is to say, not well at all.
“reshape Wells Fargo’s culture into one that values both workers and customers equitably and respectfully”. Since when did unions respect workers or customers? Workers only get along if they pay their dues and march in lock-step. And unionizing a fractional percent of workers is not going to change any “culture” especially at Wells Fargo, a corrupt bank from the top down.
Come on Bethel Alaska People! Wake the F up. Receiving all of those Washington D.C. “visitors” must just have all their heads swimming in lies and deception. Money is the root of all evil. The Alaska Natives and villagers have not yet figured out how to deal with this evil to keep it in its place. Sad.
I trust my money in a coffee can in the back yard more than Wells F you over. When they bought our mortgage it was nothing but a nightmare. Now that its paid off. Still fighting for our title. Not to mention. They are as dirty as it gets.
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