Workers at Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) branches in Albuquerque and Bethel are pushing forward with efforts to unionize, seeking to hold elections under the supervision of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). This move comes as a wave of labor organization gains momentum across various sectors, with significant successes at companies like Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) and Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) (NASDAQ:SBUX) and advantageous contracts secured by the United Auto Workers.

At the heart of the push is a call to action by organizing leader Jessie McCool, who advocates taking advantage of this favorable period for unions. In response to these efforts, Wells Fargo’s CEO Saul Van Beurden has highlighted the bank’s steps to improve employee benefits, citing changes made following prior feedback from staff.

The drive for unionization is fueled by staffing challenges that have persisted since the pandemic. Employees such as Sabrina Perez in Albuquerque find themselves burdened with extra roles, leading to customer service complaints. Similarly, Bethel’s Walker Sexton struggles with wage issues, even after cost-of-living adjustments, which have forced him to take on a second job.

These grievances echo past successes in unionization efforts, such as those seen at Beneficial State Bank, and are further sharpened by the lingering effects of Wells Fargo’s sales scandal on worker morale. In an apparent response to these union activities, Wells Fargo has recently appointed a head of labor relations while facing reports of interference with union activities.

As the situation unfolds, Wells Fargo has underscored its commitment to its workforce by raising pay and enhancing benefits for its lower-paid employees. The bank’s actions come at a critical juncture as its employees seek formal recognition of their unions through official channels.