Wells Fargo Cheats Union Families By Cutting Off Health Care

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http://www.alternet.org/blogs/healthwellness/141149/wells_fargo_cheats_union_families_by_cutting_off_health_care/


Last week, I wrote about workers who were fighting back against Wells Fargo after the bank cut off credit to Quad City Die Casting factory on Moline, Ill., causing the factory to close. This week Wells Fargo has cut off health care benefits to the workers, which the workers say violates federal labor laws.

The United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE) Local 1174, which represents the workers, has responded by filing charges today with the National Labor Relations Board. The company also informed employees that Wells Fargo would not approve the expenditure of owed vacation pay, and the company has refused to pay a 2 percent wage increase due the employees under their legally binding collective bargaining agreement.

As Wells Fargo cuts off credit to Quad City and forces it to break its collective bargaining agreement with its workers, the bank has $25 billion in federal bailout funds that were intended in part to make credit more available to businesses. “Wells Fargo first ends financing, forcing our company to close, and now they won’t pay us what we are owed by law. To us, our vacation, insurance and wages mean everything to our families. But to Wells Fargo it's pennies, not even a blip in their billions. Yet they choose to cheat us out of what we have earned." said Deb Johann, a union member employed at the factory. According to management officials, Wells Fargo approves all expenditures by the company on a weekly basis. Workers are calling upon federal officials to investigate the practices of Wells Fargo. The UE that represents workers at the plant is the same union that occupied Republic Windows and Doors last summer. Its members are engaging in direct action against Wells Fargo, calling on the bank to keep the plant open. Workers continue to demand that Wells Fargo do what is necessary to keep the company in business until a sale of the company is finalized. According to parties familiar with the discussions, there are currently several interested parties looking to make a bid to purchase Quad City Die Casting. The union says that after having received $25 billion in bailout money, Wells Fargo has an obligation to promote economic recovery by keeping the plant open. UE Director of Organization Bob Kingsley said, "We can't let this giant bank default on its obligation to the American people and the people of the Quad Cities. Wells Fargo is a roadblock to economic recovery."
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Wells Fargo has 25 billion of our money and they treat the union workers like shit?!

[hobbit709]

1. The banksters won't get the hint until they see the guillotine.

[imdjh]

2. I concur. Seriously. Well, maybe.

Executing King Charles I didn't exactly stop kings from behaving badly, but one could argue it had some effect on his son, if not the French and Russian monarchy. But it stopped King Charles I, that's for sure.

Seriously, bank officers need to be hauled through the streets in chains as a sign of good faith. If Joe Arpaio can march illegal aliens through the streets, then the government can march Michael Barrett (formerly of Chase) and all his buddies through the streets.

[izquierdista]

4. Cultural revolutionary

I say we parade them through town in a sedan chair, with a sign around their neck. Then send them to work with the peasants farm workers, picking lettuce and strawberries for a few months. It's amazing what some hard work and fresh air can do for a privileged attitude!

[imdjh]

5. On that, we are in full agreement.

I am a firm believer in the power of enlightenment through hard work, even if it's involuntary. They will come to understand what they have done, and to feel shame. And if they don't, they'll still be dirty and tired at the end of the day.

[myrna minx]

3. Damn. Thanks for posting. I'm glad I was able to find this thread among the

rec-unrec flamefests. K&R

[HOLOS]

6. WHERE ARE THE CRIMINAL TRIALS?!? nt

[crickets]

7. Despicable actions by Wells Fargo. Union! Go get 'em. K&R