Tens of Thousands of Taxpayers Speak Out to Reform Bank, Actions Across Country Led by SEIU

Statement of SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger on the actions taken by taxpayers, shareholders around Bank of America annual shareholder meeting:

"Yesterday, following taxpayer actions at Bank of America branches, and demands made by state treasurers, pension fund managers, and investors across the country, shareholders made an unprecedented move to defy a voting process strongly tilted against change."

"Tens of thousands of taxpayers took action this week at Bank of America branches in nearly 100 cities to demand the failed bank take action to create an economy that works for all. Nearly 100,000 taxpayers declared those demands on "Taxpayer Proxies" and yesterday taxpayers, former Bank of America workers, religious leaders, and community allies took those demands directly to the Bank of America annual shareholder meeting.

"Shareholders and the American people have given Ken Lewis an overwhelming vote of no confidence and he must resign as CEO immediately.

"Together a new CEO and the new Chairman of Bank of America must work swiftly to respond to all taxpayer demands and commit to real financial reform that creates a bank that provides consumers with sound financial advice, and rejects corporate excess, predatory lending, and abusive fees, a bank that provides all workers access to affordable healthcare so taxpayers are not forced to pick up the tab, and a bank that supports the Employee Free Choice Act to ensure that bank workers have a voice to sound the alarm before future economic crises and create better lives for themselves, their families, and ensure the success of their communities."

SEIU, MoveOn.org, taxpayers, former Bank of America workers, and a broad coalition of religious, environmental, and community groups united to:

• Launch a video illustrating the harmful practices Bank of America followed under Ken Lewis and calling on him to be fired.
• Collect nearly 100,000 "Taxpayer Proxies" in the days leading up to the Bank of America shareholder meeting demanding the bank:

o Fire Ken Lewis;
o Commit to real financial reform;
o Stop consumer abuses like abusive fees and predatory lending;
o Provide affordable healthcare for all employees; and
o Support bank workers voice on the job to protect consumers and improve living conditions and wages by supporting the Employee Free Choice Act.

• Mobilize tens of thousands of Americans to participate in a national Taxpayer Day of Action at Bank of America branches in New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, and nearly 100 other cities to collect "Taxpayer Proxies" and demand change at Bank of America. View Photos. Watch Video of SEIU President Andy Stern Speaking at NYC Rally.
• Lead a delegation of workers, taxpayers, and community allies to deliver the "Taxpayer Proxies" directly to the Bank of America annual shareholder meeting. Watch Video. View Photos. Read SEIU's Liveblog.

Full list of sponsors of the National Taxpayer Day of Action include: SEIU, MoveOn.org, United Students Against Sweatshops, Catholics United, Center for Community Change, TrueMajority.org, Brave New Films, USAction, Women's Voices Women Vote Action Fund, American Rights at Work, Partnership for Working Families, Rainforest Action Network, Working Families Party, Jobs with Justice, and United for Peace and Justice.

With 2 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare, and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers, not just corporations and CEOs, benefit from today's global economy.

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