In a significant development, workers at Wells Fargo, the fourth largest bank in the US, have embarked on the largest union organizing campaign at a US bank in decades. The effort, which began during the Covid-19 pandemic, has gained momentum in recent weeks, with four Wells Fargo branches filing for union elections in various locations across the country.

The branches in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Bethel, Alaska, Atwater, California, and Daytona Beach, Florida, have all taken the step to hold union elections since November. The upcoming union elections in New Mexico and Alaska are scheduled to be held on 21 December, marking a crucial milestone in the organizing effort.

The union drive was initiated by workers who met with Wells Fargo CEO, Charles Scharf, in December 2020, to address concerns related to the bank's past scandals, company policies, and compensation and benefits. Last year, Wells Fargo agreed to pay a hefty $3.7 billion in fines over a range of charges, including illegal fees and interest on auto loans and mortgages. These issues, along with lagging pay and benefits, have fueled the workers' determination to unionize.

One of the primary concerns highlighted by employees is the fear of retaliation from the bank due to its strong opposition to unionization. Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio has questioned federal bank regulators about Wells Fargo's stance on unionization, underscoring the apprehensions of the workers. Anti-union flyers distributed by the bank warned workers not to be "the union's bait" and claimed that the Communications Workers of America, behind Wells Fargo Workers United, lacked sufficient experience in the banking industry.

Mac Siruta, an employee at Wells Fargo's claims assistance center in West Des Moines, Iowa, emphasized the need for competitive pay to retain talented workers. Siruta pointed out that rival bank, Bank of America, recently raised its minimum wage to $23 per hour, leading to an exodus of skilled employees from Wells Fargo.

Workers have also raised concerns about working conditions, policies, and expensive healthcare benefits. Chronic understaffing at branches, resulting in missed lunch breaks, and the inability to afford healthcare have become pressing issues for employees. Corinne Jefferson, a personal banker at the Daytona Beach, Florida, branch, highlighted these challenges, stating that employees should not struggle to pay their bills or access necessary healthcare.

In response, Wells Fargo representatives have been regularly distributing anti-union flyers to workers since the branch filed for a union election. However, employees remain united in their resolve to unionize, emphasizing the importance of sticking together.

Wells Fargo, while acknowledging the importance of individual voices, expressed a preference for direct collaboration with its employees, stating that it believes working together without the intervention of a third party is the best way to support its workforce.

Concerns regarding working conditions, compensation, and benefits have sparked worries among leaders at Wells Fargo, who fear a wave of union organizing similar to high-profile cases at Starbucks and Amazon. The bank has already settled two unfair labor practice charges, with additional charges still under review by the National Labor Relations Board.

As the union drive gains traction at Wells Fargo, the upcoming union elections in New Mexico and Alaska will serve as crucial milestones in determining the future of unionization efforts at one of America's largest banks.