Workers at Wells Fargo not affiliated with branches have decided to form a union
Wells Fargo Conduct Management Team and Branch Workers Unionize Amidst Controversy
In a growing labor movement that started around 2021, the conduct management team at Wells Fargo and employees at numerous branches have voted to unionize. The unionization drive, which began in response to widespread employee concerns about staff cuts, heightened sales pressure, declining pay, and deteriorating benefits, has gained momentum since the first successful vote at the Albuquerque branch in December 2023.
The Albuquerque branch, which was the first Wells location to unionize, voted 21-16 in favour of unionization. Since then, nearly 30 branches across 15 states have joined the union, known as Wells Fargo Workers United-CWA (WFWU), which is affiliated with the Communications Workers of America (CWA).
The unionization has had a significant impact on the employees, providing them with a formal voice to negotiate wages, benefits, and working conditions. However, as of mid-2025, no final contracts have been signed yet, with negotiations actively ongoing at six locations and discussions planned at others.
The union presence has garnered support from broader labor organizations such as the AFL-CIO and United Auto Workers, and union members have staged rallies demanding fair contracts and an end to intimidation tactics.
Wells Fargo management has publicly stated that it respects employees’ rights to unionize and claims to be engaging in "constructive and good faith bargaining" with unions. However, union representatives and members have accused Wells Fargo of illegal union-busting tactics and coercion, including interrogation and pressure on workers to decertify unions.
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has received multiple unfair labor practice complaints alleging Wells Fargo interfered with union activities by surveillance, threats, retaliation, and onerous work conditions. These allegations have delayed certain union elections and led to ongoing legal proceedings.
One such instance occurred in Charlotte, North Carolina, where union representatives and members have accused Wells Fargo of illegal union-busting tactics. The Committee for Better Banks, which has guided WFWU in its union drives, claims that bank management responded to the letter by discouraging workers from continuing the campaign and subsequently laid off 11 workers before the votes were to be cast.
In response to the layoffs, the Communications Workers of America, WFWU's parent organization, filed an unfair labor practice with the National Labor Relations Board. The Senate Banking Committee Chair, Sherrod Brown, has also drawn attention to Wells' response to union efforts last fall.
As of now, the WFWU bargaining team and Wells' management are in the second round of three-day contract bargaining sessions. The sessions, which started on Wednesday, involve workers located in several states, including Minnesota, Texas, California, and Virginia. A group of Wells Fargo conduct management investigators have also unionized, becoming the first non-branch workers to join Wells Fargo Workers United.
References: 1. Bloomberg 2. The New York Times 3. The Washington Post 4. The Wall Street Journal 5. CWA
- The unionization drive at Wells Fargo, initially sparked by concerns about staff cuts, heightened sales pressure, and declining benefits, has expanded the union, Wells Fargo Workers United-CWA (WFWU), to include various business sectors within the industry, such as banking-and-insurance.
- The ongoing contract negotiations between WFWU and Wells Fargo management cover a wide range of topics, including finance-related aspects like wages and benefits, aiming to improve the working conditions and financial security of unionized employees in the business realm.
