The Teamsters union demanded in a letter to its own bank Wednesday that higher level management stop supporting groups that advocate for right-to-work laws.
The Teamsters use the multinational bank Wells Fargo to hold funds collected through union dues. The union sent a letter to Wells Fargo Chairman John Stumpf when it found out at least one top official supports right-to-work. The policy outlaws mandatory union dues or fees as a condition of employment. The letter was publicly released the following day.
“We have entrusted Wells Fargo with the hard earned assets of Teamsters members,” Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall wrote. “That is why I was shocked to learn that Well Fargo’s Executive Vice President, Jeff Grubb, through his leadership role at M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, has helped finance the extremist Washington State-based ‘Freedom Foundation’ and supports its agenda to undermine the rights of workers and all citizens.”
Those opposed the policy often claim unions are necessary for workplace fairness, better wages and benefits. They argue lawmakers should strengthen union power as a way of helping workers. Supporters, however, argue it simply provides workers a choice while promoting a business-friendly environment. Right-to-work does not prevent workers from joining a union if they so choose.
“Mr. Grubb’s decision to align himself with these extreme groups exposes Wells Fargo to unnecessary reputational and financial risk, and undermines the values I believe we share,” Hall also noted. “We expect you to do all in your power to distance Wells Fargo from these kinds of organizations.”
The passage of the 1947 Taft-Hartley Act was what first allowed states to decide whether they want to be right-to-work or not. At the moment 25 states have enacted the policy. A handful of compulsory union states are currently debating whether to enact it as well.
Wells Fargo did not respond to a request for comment by The Daily Caller News Foundation.
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