Wells Fargo
April 23rd: The week of action will start by focusing on Wells Fargo while their shareholders meet in Salt Lake City, Utah. After thousands of families in foreclosure, student debtors and others marched on Wells Fargo’s San Francisco shareholders meetings three years in a row, Wells Fargo decided to “run for the hills,” moving their annual meeting to Salt Lake City in an effort to hide from their customers and community …during Earth Week! Wells Fargo had its most profitable year ever in 2012, while they’ve sent the rest of us deeper and deeper into debt.
Demand that Wells Fargo:
- Reduce mortgage principal for struggling homeowners, (when legal to do so)
- Report foreclosures and modifications with principal reduction by race and income
- Stop all foreclosures and evictions until these two policies are in place
On April 23rd, join 99% Power in Salt Lake City at the shareholders meeting or organize your own action locally at a Wells-Fargo branch.
Walmart
April 24th: Take action to support workers’ rights at the world’s largest retailer. Thousands of Walmart workers receive less than the 40 hours they want and need to make ends meet, regardless of if they are considered part or full time employees. Their schedules are often inconsistent, varying in the number of hours they get, as well as the shifts they are required to work. This makes budgeting nearly impossible and limits workers’ ability to go to school or find a second supplemental job.
Demand that Walmart:
- Establish transparency in scheduling shifts, increasing the number of full time hours and making it easier for workers to find additional employment so they are not stuck in poverty
- Discipline managers who retaliate against workers who speak out for dignity and respect
On April 24th, plan a visit to a local Walmart and deliver THIS LETTER to the store manager, leaflet customers with this FLYER and talk to workers to let them know about Walmart’s promise of transparency and open scheduling. Hand them this CARD. (Full Action Guide available here)
Sallie Mae
April 25th: Bankers will be popping champagne bottles as they celebrate the one year anniversary of student debt toppling the $1 trillion mark that has become a drag on our entire economy. Two-thirds of students walk across the graduation stage with a diploma in one hand and a bill in the other, at an average of $27,000. Recent graduates trying to pay off their loans are struggling to stay afloat: 20% are behind on monthly payments.
This year, students will be having a party of their own though – inside the Wells Fargo shareholder meeting on April 23rd and across the country on April 25th – demanding banks come to the table to negotiate debt reduction.
On April 25th, tell your financial aid office that Sallie Mae shouldn’t be listed as an alternative on their website and that the school must stop promoting their predatory practices. If you are no longer a student, tell the CFPB to regulate all banks that are profiting off of students. The CFPB is allowing anyone to comment on which banks they should regulate until May 28th: send your comment in today!
