Unions seeking to organize in nontraditional industries, including financial services

Union-organizing efforts aren’t limited to historical union strongholds like manufacturing, construction, and the public sector. Even though unions currently represent only about 1.3% of the financial services industry, they’re looking to organize financial services employees. Case in point: On December 20, 2023, Wells Fargo branch employees in Albuquerque, New Mexico, voted 5 to 3 in favor of joining the Communications Workers of America Union (CWA). This victory, along with the news of record union contracts in other industries, will likely serve as a launching pad for the CWA and other unions to organize financial industry employees.

Dealing with union organizing

You can combat the threat of union organizing by fostering good employee relations and providing competitive pay and benefits, among other aspects of a positive culture. You should also familiarize yourself with warning signs of potential organizing activity, a few of which include:

·     A sudden and unexplained combativeness between employees and supervisors;