Workers at a Wells Fargo branch in New Mexico have successfully voted to form a union, marking the first instance in the modern era where employees at a major US bank have sought to organise.
Workers at other bank branches, such as those in Daytona Beach, Florida, have already submitted requests to vote for unionisation with the National Labour Relations Board (NLRB). This information comes from the Committee, a group comprising current and former employees from various banks, including Wells Fargo, US Bank, Santander, Bank of the West and Bank of America.
The decision to unionise follows a string of notable achievements for unions in the US. They have successfully secured substantial contracts in industries known for strong labour representation and have made progress in sectors where this was less common. Specifically, employees, including bankers and tellers, at the Wells Fargo branch in Albuquerque, New Mexico, have chosen to join the Communications Workers of America’s Wells Fargo Workers United. This announcement was made in a statement by the Committee for Better Banks on 21 December 2023.
The employees are expressing concerns about being understaffed, receiving low pay and facing mismanagement.
According to a bank employee, the move towards unionisation shows how workers in the financial- services industry understand the importance of coming together to make the industry better.
