Communications Union Escalates Effort to Organize Bank Staff
- CWA says 20,000 workers support effort and have won results
- Employees are being trained to collect union cards from peers
The union is known for representing workers at companies like AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc.
Source: AP PhotosThe Communications Workers of America, undeterred by new threats to unions’ funds and clout, is pressing ahead with its plan to organize the retail banking industry with the belief that recent rage at banks can help force the virtually union-free sector to negotiate.
The CWA points to strides it has made since it began its approach in 2014, winning the support of about 20,000 employees at banks including JP Morgan Chase & Co., U.S. Bank and Bank of America Corp.. The union says it’s succeeded in securing meetings between CWA officials and foreign banks with American branches and between U.S. Bank staff and management, and spurring improvements in wages, benefits and sales practices.