Wells Fargo workers come to Wash. DC to hold CEO accountable

CEO Tim Sloan “snubbed” bank workers at his hearing before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services on March 12 when they tried to deliver a petition signed by thousands of employees and customers demanding he meet with the Committee for Better Banks to fix working conditions at the beleaguered bank.

Bank workers, joined by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Rep. Chuy Garcia (D-Ill.), and other allies, held a rally ahead of the hearing to deliver a message that the bank needs to address the toxic, high-pressure sales culture that originally led to the Wells Fargo fake account scandal. At the rally, the bank workers warned that the toxic sales culture hasn't improved since the Wells Fargo scandal.

"If Wells Fargo truly cared about its workers, it would show in their investment in us. If they are willing to show their commitment, they need to start doing better for workers and meeting with the Committee for Better Banks," said Alex Ross, a Wells Fargo employee in Minneapolis.

"Front line bank workers having an independent voice and the ability to speak out is one of the best mechanisms we have to rein in the power of Wall Street," said CWA President Chris Shelton at the rally. "When front line bank workers have a voice on the job, they can improve their working conditions and feel secure to speak up about sales goals that force them to push predatory products on our communities."