Yesterday, Americans were given one more reason to look forward to ringing in the New Year: Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis announced he will be be stepping down from the bank, effective Jan. 1, 2010.

As a part of the Take Back the Economy coalition, SEIU and partners have been calling (loudly and persistently) for Lewis' ouster for several months. Throughout the economic crisis, Lewis has been a virtual poster boy for a financial industry fueled by reckless and self-serving lending practices, platinum bonuses, and a disregard for workers and our economy.

BofA received access for up to $195 billion in taxpayer bailout funds--and the workers, consumers and taxpayers footing the bill for Ken Lewis' failed gamble finally decided to stand up and demand change, with SEIU leading the charge. "Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis just doesn't get it," we wrote in an e-mailto supporters at the time. "The era of greed and irresponsibility is over...Enough is enough. Bank of America must fire CEO Ken Lewis."

Through a grassroots and online-driven campaign, over 100 events were held across the nation against Bank of America and more than 90,000 taxpayer proxy cards were collected & delivered at BofA's annual shareholder meeting, calling for the firing of Lewis for his corporate greed, corruption and anti-worker company policies. In addition to the ouster, SEIU demanded that two new BofA board seats be created. We called for all bonuses for execs be eliminated until taxpayers were paid back the money the bank received under TARP and demanded stronger whistleblower protections for any workers who report abusive lending or banking practices. Finally, we called for Bank of America to provide healthcare coverage to all of its 247,000 workers-- which it currently does not.

As a result of the organized campaign from union members and thousands of supportive activists, Lewis was ousted as chairman following the April 2009 annual BofA shareholders meeting (re-live that celebratory moment here). Even though Lewis stayed on as BofA CEO until his announcement yesterday, his ousting as chairman sent a message calling for CEO accountability loud and clear.

Even as the end of Lewis's profit-driven rein as CEO of BofA is finally in sight, we're not planning on letting up on our efforts to bring change to the banking industry--not even close. As SEIU's Anna Burger points out, "The Ken Lewis banking model continues drive up big bank profits while causing millions of Americans to lose their jobs, their homes, and their retirement savings." We've had enough of an economy that works only for greedy CEOs like Ken Lewis--and on that note, we thought we'd celebrate Lewis's ousting by taking a detailed record of his failed leadership. Like the saying goes, those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

This is Andy Stern, President of SEIU.

I wanted to write you about the recent news about the Employee Free Choice Act. The New York Times reported on Friday that the Senate is considering dropping majority signup from the Employee Free Choice Act.

Majority signup is based on a simple idea: if a majority of workers say they want a union, they should get a union. It's the best way to make sure workers have a free and fair choice to join a union without intimidation or harassment.

It's important that both the House and Senate consider majority signup. Working people want to see where Congress stands on this common-sense idea to level the playing field against corporate greed.

I created a petition to Congress for you to show support for majority signup. Can you please add you name?

In the last week, we've seen that Wall Street is back to business as usual. Bank of America and Citigroup posted billions in profits. Goldman Sachs made $38 million a day in the last three months and is set to pay out record bonuses.

Corporate greed alive and well, despite billions in bailouts. Meanwhile, unemployment is still rising, and many working people are still struggling to get by in the rough economy.

That's why we need the Employee Free Choice Act. At its core, the Employee Free Choice Act is about fairness. By giving employees the free choice to join unions - and not their bosses - majority signup allows workers to have a voice on the job.

Congress needs to hear about your support for majority signup. Sign my petition to Congress in support of majority signup and the Employee Free Choice Act.

Thanks for all you do.

On June 9, dozens of janitors laid off from Cisco Systems in San Jose, CA ended a 7-day hunger fast protesting the company's corporate greed and unfair treatment. Check out this new video SEIU United Service Workers West created documenting the breaking of the fast:

The janitors at Cisco Systems first began protesting the corporation--which currently has more than $34 billion in cash assets on hand--when contractor ABM Industries Inc. laid off more than 40 percent of its total janitorial workforce in February. The janitors that remain on the job at Cisco are now being forced to shoulder higher workloads.

The important principle these fasting janitors have sacrificed so much to make: a company that has $34 billion in cash assets and paid its CEO $18.8 million last year shouldn't just stand by while $12-an-hour workers are let go by the contractor Cisco hired to work on its campus.

In a new round of attacks against the Employee Free Choice Act, corporate lobbyists and executives are showing their true, greedy selves.

In recent weeks, corporate lobbyist groups such as the Center for Union Facts, the Chamber of Commerce, and conservatives like Newt Gingrich, have waged war to prevent workers from enjoying what CEOs take for granted: a contract.

In a Wall Street Journal op-ed today, and in a Politico op-ed from Newt Gingrich last month, anti-worker groups have attacked the "first contract arbitration" portion of the Employee Free Choice Act. That provision seeks to stop employers from using endless foot-dragging against workers who have voted for a union, but have yet to secure a contract. The legislation says that if employers and workers can't reach an agreement in a reasonable amount of time - 120 days - either side can bring in a neutral, private-sector arbitrator to settle the dispute.

Besides the foot-dragging, this assault on first contract arbitration is particularly disturbing for another reason: Corporations use arbitration all the time, because they say it's a fast, inexpensive way to settle disputes.

Here are just some of the quotes that opponents of Employee Free Choice have said about arbitration in the past:

"For more than 80 years, arbitration has helped Americans settle disputes fairly, quickly and inexpensively, without having to file a lawsuit or navigate the court system." - Lisa Rickard, president of the US Chamber's Institute for Legal Reform (4/2/08)

"Arbitration is mutually beneficial, which is what we have always thought." - Arne Wagner, assistant general counsel for Bank of America [ABA Journal, December 1994]

"[F]ederal policy... favors the use of arbitration as an efficient, effective, and less expensive means of resolving disputes...Arbitration, has served as an essential valve for the nation's overburdened civil justice system." - Letter to Senate Judiciary Committee signed by US Chamber of Commerce, Retail Industry Leaders Association, National Retail Federation, National Association of Manufacturers, Jackson Lewis, et al (2/7/08)

Just a little bit of a double standard, no? Arbitration is the best thing ever when it comes to protecting their wallets, but when it comes to adding the safety net of first contract arbitration during collective bargaining, it's the devil incarnate that must be stopped at all costs.

There's one position that CEOs have been fairly consistent on, however: if it allows them to hold on to their corporate power against working families, then they're all for it. Even if it means being a little "flexible" in their public stances.

Taxpayers didn't cause this economic crisis, but we sure are paying the price.

Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis leads the way in the predatory, self-serving culture that gets executives rich at the expense of everyone else.

In just two weeks, Bank of America's shareholders will meet to decide CEO Ken Lewis' future at the company. Our government - and by extension, taxpayers - are the single biggest shareholder of Bank of America's stock.

This is our chance to send a message that it's time for Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis to go.

We're asking you to sign a "taxpayer's proxy card" to show your support for firing Lewis and reforming Bank of America - and we'll deliver it directly to Bank of America.

Click here to watch our shocking new video about why we need to fire Ken Lewis, and sign your name to a "taxpayer's proxy card."

(This video is narrated by former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich)

We are demanding these four things:

• Fire CEO Ken Lewis, who has helped destroy the bank and our overall economy
  
• Stop consumer abuses that hurt our communities, like skyrocketing fees and predatory lending
  
• Support bank workers' voice on the job to protect consumers and improve living conditions and wages by supporting the Employee Free Choice Act
  
• Provide affordable quality health care to employees so they do not have to rely on taxpayer-funded public health programs

Banks like Bank of America built a business model on screwing customers, pushing dangerous products, and burying customers in more and more debt. It would be bad enough if Ken Lewis' Bank of America just screwed its customers and taxpayers. But that's not all - the company also screws its workers.

Just days after receiving its first $25 billion bailout, Bank of America was caught hosting a conference call to defeat the Employee Free Choice Act - legislation that would help all working people, including Bank of America employees.

Enough. We need real reform, and it's clear Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis is part of the problem, not the solution. It's time for taxpayers to tell Ken Lewis to go.

We need you to take the next step right now. Watch our shocking new video and sign your "taxpayer proxy card" to vote out Ken Lewis.

We'll be in touch over the next several weeks about how we'll escalate our campaign to fire Ken Lewis. It's the kind of change our country and our economy so desperately need.

P.S. Mark your calendars - save the date on April 28th for a big action related to our campaign.

A group of SEIU members are on the Hill this morning, calling on Congress to prevent companies that are receiving massive taxpayer subsidies from spending money on lobbying that may pit their corporate interests, and the interests of highly compensated CEOs, against taxpayers' interests.

While taking taxpayer money, bailout recipients like Bank of America & Merrill Lynch have continued to lobby--through their trade association memberships--to block consumer protection measures, predatory lending regulations, and the Employee Free Choice Act, a measure that would ensure workers the freedom to form a union for a voice for improved wages, benefits, and working conditions. Beyond the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), some bailout recipients--who fail to provide affordable healthcare or a living wage to their employees--are dipping into additional federal coffers, forcing thousands of employees to seek healthcare through taxpayer funded programs like Medicaid and food stamps.

Watch the C-SPAN live hearing as CEOs from eight major banks that received $125 billion in taxpayer bailout funds are called before Congress to account for their use of the funds.

UPDATE, @5PM: The hearing is over now, but you can still watch the testimony of the CEOs whose companies received the first TARP funds explain how they used the bailout money before the House Financial Services Committee.
> Watch the TARP hearing's morning session here and the afternoon hearing session here.

Union leaders call for action as industry giants meet at the Private Equity Super Returns conference in Berlin.

GENEVA, LONDON, PARIS and WASHINGTON, DC - As the Private Equity Super Returns conference got underway in Berlin, Philip Jennings, general secretary of UNI Global Union, Andy Stern, president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Jack Dromey, deputy general secretary of UNITE, and John Evans, general secretary of Trade Union Advisory Committee (TUAC) to the OECD, gathered to demand immediate reforms to private equity in order to help avoid further economic crisis. The labour leaders warn that economic disparity and unfettered corporate greed have proven toxic for the economy and must be reformed. Government leaders must take action.

"Millions of workers around the world work in companies that are owned by private equity. As we move into the next phase of the financial crisis those jobs are at risk on top of the millions that stand to be lost because of the crisis. Private equity is being tested as never before. We want to know how they will respond. Will they cut and run or will they work with unions and the workforce to weather the storm?" said Philip Jennings, general secretary of UNI Global Union.

UNI Global Union general secretary Philip Jennings is scheduled to address the Super Returns International conference on 4th February at 16:45 when he will bring labour's message to investors and private equity principals.

"Financial manipulation, greed and deregulation have led to economic havoc," said SEIU President Stern. "For our global economy to thrive and grow again, corporations, governments, and non-state actors -- like labour unions -- must work together towards a system where competition is based on the quality and sustainability of goods and services provided--not by a race to lower costs at the expense of workers, the environment, and product quality."

Many Private equity funds have been driving companies into enormous debt making the future of employment in these companies precarious. Self regulation has allowed financial engineering that generates enormous profits for few and without any regard for the ongoing health of the companies they buy or the workers in their employ.

"The threat that private equity poses to workers, our communities and the global economy is very real. The accumulation over years of huge debt risks in recession disaster. We need much more than promises by the industry to do better," said UNITE General Secretary Jack Dromey. "We need real reforms, with accountability and enforcement. Private Equity in Britain is hiding behind self regulation. But self regulation of the Cayman Islands will never work. Self regulation is no substitute for effective regulation designed to protect the public interest."

During a global news briefing by teleconference, the four leaders demanded:

• Debt disclosure by private equity for every leveraged buyout portfolio company.
  
• Engagement with unions on jobs and solutions to unstable portfolio companies.
  
• Tighter regulations and reforms from governments to prevent future leverage-fueled crises from undermining the global economy.
  
• No bailouts for private equity firms without adequate reforms, oversight and protections.
  
• End tax breaks for high-risk leveraging strategies.
  
• Accountability and enforcement of principles promised by private equity.
  
• Regulation of private equity to be on the agenda of the G20
  

Did you see the news on Tuesday? The Huffington Post reported that just days after receiving billions in bailout money, Bank of America hosted a secret call to plan the defeat of the Employee Free Choice Act.

Bank of America has $45 billion in bailout money, but they're not using it to help the economy, homeowners, or their employees. The company instead planned how to keep their employees and other working people from improving their economic situations.

It's time to fire Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis and replace him with someone who will use our bailout money responsibly.

Today, we're asking you to go to a Bank of America location to talk directly with employees about what's happening with their company - and why their CEO should be fired.

Click here to find an event near you, or create your own event at a Bank of America branch.

Combined with recent reports that Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis knowingly let a bank purchased by his company dole out $4 billion in bonuses before receiving even more bailout funds, it's clear Bank of America is not interested in anything but its bottom line.

Let's be clear: it won't be enough to replace Ken Lewis with someone equally reckless. After Bank of America replaces its CEO, the company needs to use its $45 billion bailout money responsibly. We're asking the company to:

• Provide health care for its 247,000 workers
• Keep over 12,000 troubled borrowers in their homes with executive bonus money
• Sign new leases with renters who live in buildings that are being foreclosed upon
• Commit to providing affordable healthcare to all of its employees and their dependents.

Find a Bank of America near you and invite your friends to help you talk to tellers. Click here to tell Bank of America employees about their company on Thursday.

Bank of America employs 247,000 people but pays some so little money that its employees take up significant portions of public health care in some states. And get this: in 2006, Lewis took home $99 million, more than 4,000 times what his average employee makes.

Someone needs to stand up for Bank of America employees, because the company sure isn't. It's time for Ken Lewis to go.

Find a Bank of America event near you today.

> More background on Bank of America's practices here: www.seiu.org//bank-of-america/

Over the last few months, it's become abundantly clear that Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis just doesn't get it. The era of greed and irresponsibility is over.

Bank of America tellers make about $24,000 a year. That's less than what the CEO of a company bought by Bank of America paid for his curtains during the $1.2 million redecoration of his personal office.

Enough is enough. Today, we're calling on Bank of America to fire CEO Ken Lewis.

On Thursday, we're asking you to go to a Bank of America location to talk directly with employees about what's happening with their company - and why their CEO should be fired.

Click here to find an event near you, or create your own event at a Bank of America branch.

News reports say that Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis turned a blind eye when one of his new acquisitions doled out billions in executive pay in 2008 - including an estimated $4 billion in bonuses right before the company got its $10 billion bailout from the government.

We're going to Bank of America locations around the country on Thursday because the employees of the largest bank in the country need to hear the truth about their CEO.

Let's be clear: it won't be enough to replace Ken Lewis with someone equally reckless. After Bank of America replaces its CEO, the company needs to use its $45 billion bailout money responsibly. We're asking the company to:

• Provide health care for its 247,000 workers
• Keep over 12,000 troubled borrowers in their homes with bonus money
• Sign new leases with renters who live in buildings that are being foreclosed upon
• Commit to providing affordable healthcare to all of its employees and their dependents.

Find a Bank of America near you and invite your friends to help you talk to tellers. Click here to tell Bank of America employees about their company on Thursday.

It seems Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis forgot about the 247,000 people who make his company successful. In 2006, Lewis took home $99 million, more than 4,000 times what his average employee makes. In some states, Bank of America employees take up large portions of public health care because they don't earn enough money.

Someone needs to stand up for Bank of America employees, because the company sure isn't. It's time for Ken Lewis to go.

Join us at Bank of America locations on Thursday.