Fifteen senators accused Wells Fargo of refusing to bargain in good faith with unionized workers, and called upon the bank to end its alleged union-busting campaign.
“Under federal law, workers have the right to organize, advocate for better wages and working conditions, and engage in collective bargaining without interference,” Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-AZ, and other lawmakers wrote in a letter to Wells CEO Charlie Scharf. “However, rather than remaining neutral as your employees exercise their federally protected rights and organize for better wages and working conditions, your company has initiated an anti-union campaign.”
Since a Wells Fargo branch in Albuquerque, New Mexico, became the first to vote to unionize in 2023, 27 other groups – mostly from other branches, but some nonbranch workers – have voted to unionize, citing staffing shortages and unreasonable workloads.
“Notably, workers report that company management’s practices prevent them from effectively serving customers and small businesses,” the senators wrote. “They see union representation as a way to address long-standing issues before they escalate into scandals.”
But since the various votes to unionize, not one group has landed a union contract. Union representatives allege that Wells has employed stalling tactics, such as insisting that every proposal be read out loud during negotiations.
The Communication Workers of America has filed 33 unfair labor practice charges against Wells Fargo with the National Labor Relations Board since the bank’s workers began unionizing in 2023. While 11 such complaints have been withdrawn and the cases have been closed, several remain open.
A Wells Fargo representative pushed back against the senators’ claims, saying in an emailed statement that the company “respect[s] our employees’ right to choose whether or not to be represented by a union.”
“This year alone, we have spent over 40 days at the bargaining table with the CWA, and our focus is on continuing constructive good-faith negotiations,” the spokesperson said.
A Wells Fargo spokesperson said the bank is in active negotiations or has negotiations scheduled to start at more than half of its unionized branches. By November, at least 20 such branches will be engaged in contract negotiations.
The spokesperson added that Wells has expanded its branch team by hiring hundreds of new managers, personal bankers and over 1,000 “roving bankers” who provide support at locations that need it. Staffing at each branch is adjusted based on customer feedback and other data, the spokesperson said.
Wells Fargo Workers United member Misty Elms said in an emailed statement that the unionized workers “are grateful to have the public support of Senators across the country who are standing with us to demand a better workplace at Wells Fargo.”
“This fight isn't just about our rights on the job -- it's about holding the bank accountable to its workforce, customers, and the public it serves,” said Elms, a Lake Elsinore, California-based personal banker. “It's time for Wells Fargo to respect its workers and bargain in good faith.”
The letter was also signed by Sens. Dick Durbin, D-IL; Bernie Sanders, I-VT; Richard Blumenthal, D-CT; Martin Heinrich, D-NM; Elizabeth Warren, D-MA; Cory Booker, D-NJ; Chris Murphy, D-CT; Catherine Cortez Masto, D-NV; Chris Van Hollen, D-MD; Tammy Duckworth, D-IL; Tina Smith, D-MN; Mark Kelly, D-AZ; Alex Padilla, D-CA; and Adam Schiff, D-CA.
