So, OneWest Bank in California wants to foreclose on state employee. She fell behind in her mortgage payments when her brother, who lived with her and their disabled mother, was killed two years ago. Her financial situation recovers, and she seeks loan modification. The bank sends her the application form. The next day, the bank starts foreclosure proceedings. OneWest is notorious for its harsh foreclosure policies, refusing to join a state program that encourages loan modifications.
A sad and familiar story. But then, collective action changes the plotline! Forward ACCE and SEIU!
Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) and Service Employees Internation UNion (SEIU) got about 50 protesters together yesterday. They went and occupied the corporate headquarters of OneWest Bank! In Pasadena! Where I live! They set up two tents in the lobby and they had bullhorns and good relations with the local police, who were called but didn't arrest, and good relations with the local press. That's easy to see from the awesome story, complete with TWO front page color photos, that leapt at me when I opened the Pasadena Star News this morning. Some excerpts, but please give the Star-News some love and read the story.
Last year, the group of billionaire private investors who took over OneWest turned a profit of more than $1.5 billion, said ACCE spokesman Abdullah Muhammad.
The group agreed to end the occupation if a bank official met with the homeowner. Some besuited vice president guy was hustled out and then went off with the homeowner and a laptop. Another meeting is scheduled for today, but the foreclosure hasn't been stopped. Yet.
According to Gudiel, she will refuse to leave her home and ignore the eviction scheduled for later this month.
"I'll be there waiting for them to come and try to evict me," she said.
Kuhns said ACCE and SEIU would be right there with her.