Wells Fargo Workers Hold Rally in Charlotte to Demand Fair Contract

Charlotte, N.C. - Today, the Communications Workers of America (CWA), North Carolina AFL-CIO, and SEIU 32BJ were joined by local coalitions and organizations for a rally to demand a fair union contract for workers represented by Wells Fargo Workers United-CWA (WFWU-CWA), one of the only organizing efforts at a major bank in the United States in over 50 years. Since workers won their first election in December 2023, workers have won over 28 union elections at Wells Fargo branches across 16 states, as well as the Conduct Management Intake Department, while continuing to connect with workers across the United States through conversations, flyering, and mobilizing.

"We need a union contract to be able to raise ethical concerns about how our customers are treated-without fear of losing our jobs. The job security of a union contract helps protect us when we raise flags as we encounter them," said WFWU-CWA member Belinda Signil, who was a Wells Fargo Teller at the Apopka Branch before allegedly being illegally terminated. "A union gives us a real voice. It means that whether you're a Teller, Personal Banker, or a software engineer, you can speak up when something isn't right, without worrying if your concerns will get swept under the rug or used against you."

Following the rally, workers delivered a signed petition to Wells Fargo management calling out the company for their delays at the bargaining table. WFWU-CWA workers have been in bargaining with Wells Fargo for nearly two years, and members of the bargaining committee have alleged that Wells Fargo is delaying reaching an agreement towards a fair first contract.

"If Wells Fargo management is serious about protecting its workers and customers, they will come to the bargaining table and settle members' contracts currently in bargaining at 29 branches across the country," said CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. "So long as workers feel like their jobs are in danger, they will stay quiet and the system will continue to work against its own workers and customers."

In response to the nationwide union effort, Wells Fargo has collected a long track record of aggressive anti-union tactics in repeated attempts to scare union branches out of organizing, illegally intimidate and terminate union employees, and stall bargaining sessions at the table. As a result, CWA has filed over 60 Unfair Labor Practice charges (ULPs) against the bank with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) alleging that management has violated their rights.

NLRB regional offices have determined that there was merit to the ULP charges filed for alleged violations by management in five separate branches. Subsequently, Wells Fargo agreed to sign and post an official Notice to Employees affirming that Wells Fargo would not violate their rights. Last month, Region 27 of the NLRB signed off on a settlement agreement with Wells Fargo after they had discharged WFWU-CWA member and Personal Banker Andy King, who had successfully organized his Wells Fargo branch in Casper, Wyo., in September 2024.

"Wells Fargo workers have inspired bank workers across our economy by accomplishing the impossible: they formed the first-ever union at one of America's largest banks," said CWA Organizer Nick Weiner. "It is past time for executives to live up to their word and bargain a fair contract in good faith, because Wells Fargo workers deserve respect and decent working conditions for their dedication serving bank customers."

###

About CWA

The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields.

cwa-union.org @cwaunion