Former Labor secretary joins Wells Fargo board

SAN FRANCISCO — Former U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao will join the Wells Fargo & Co. board this week, the bank said Tuesday.

Chao will serve on the finance and corporate responsibility committees. She will be the 15th director.

Chao led the U.S. Labor Department under President George W. Bush from 2001 until 2009. According to her website, the nation had record low workplace injury, illness and fatality rates during her tenure. Union and labor advocates considered her too closely allied with corporations.

Before joining the cabinet, Chao was president and CEO of the United Way of America. Under President George H.W. Bush, she led the Peace Corps and served as deputy secretary of transportation.