Working Families, Merchants Send Joint Message to Lawmakers: Stop Credit Card Abuses Now
In a groundbreaking joint effort by the nation’s fastest growing union and trade associations representing merchants, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Food Marketing Institute (FMI), National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), and the National Grocers Association (NGA) sent a letter to every Member of the House of Representatives today calling on Congress to stop the nation’s biggest banks and credit card companies from continuing abusive practices which harm American consumers and businesses. Continue to read the press release>>
Wednesday, July 9 is ‘Stop the Greed Virus’ Day of Action
Workers and Consumers Nationwide Protest WaMu’s ‘Toxic’ Banking Fees, Poor Record on Foreclosures
Protesters in HazMat suits highlight greedy practices by WaMu, private equity giant TPG 
New York, NY – On the heels of a high-profile capital injection into Washington Mutual (WaMu) led by private equity giant Texas Pacific Group (TPG), workers and consumers in major cities nationwide are participating in a series of actions today focused on the thirft’s harmful banking practices—including high bank fees and credit card rates, deceptive credit card practices, and a record of subprime lending that has resulted in foreclosures for thousands of homeowners. Protesters wearing HazMat suits and carrying signs are calling on WaMu to stop spreading the “greed virus” are holding actions outside WaMu and TPG locations in Ft. Worth, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, and San Francisco. Read more. More photos.
With WaMu Shareholders Voting on $7 Billion Deal Today ...
Seattle-Area Residents, Workers Protest Capital Injection into WaMu Led by Buy-Out Firm TPG, Call Deal Risky for Consumers, Taxpayers, and the Economy
SEATTLE - June 24, 2008 -- With Washington Mutual (WaMu) shareholders set to vote on a $7 billion deal that will give private equity buy-out firm Texas Pacific Group (TPG) and a select group of investors more than half the thrift institution's stock shares, Seattle-area residents and workers are protesting the deal's potentially "toxic" impact on consumers and the economy today. Wearing HazMat suits and carrying signs, protesters are calling attention to the deal's potential to expose consumers, taxpayers, and the economy to unacceptably high levels of risk-including through increased fees, credit card interest rates, and questionable regulatory and business practices. More.
New Information Raises Concerns that TPG-led Investment Could Pose Unacceptable Risks to Consumers, Taxpayers, and Shareholders
WASHINGTON D.C.- June 17, 2008 -- Private equity powerhouse Texas Pacific Group (TPG) is leading a $7 billion investment into troubled financial institution Washington Mutual (WaMu) which could drive up financial risks to consumers, taxpayers, and shareholders according to new information released today by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the fastest-growing union in North America. More.
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Consumer Testimony Cancelled: Credit Card Industry, Lawmakers Plugging Their Ears to Families' Hardships
The nation’s biggest banks and credit card issuers refuse to recognize the real human impact of their harmful practices on consumers and working people around the country, and today’s cancellation of consumer testimony to a House subcommittee is yet another example of both this and the huge power imbalance between banks and ordinary Americans.
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