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Verizon – Wireless Network Neutrality (2015)

November 20, 2014

Whereas, Wireless communications are critical to Verizon. In 2014 the Company completed its acquisition of Vodafone’s interest in Verizon Wireless for approximately $130 billion. Verizon’s 4G LTE wireless network now reaches 97 percent of the U.S. population. A critical factor in this growth has been the open (non-discriminatory) architecture of the Internet. Non-discrimination principles are commonly referred to as “network neutrality” and seek to ensure equal access and non-discriminatory treatment for all content. We believe open Internet policies help drive the economy, encourage innovation and reward investors. Network neutrality principles may help Verizon financially by bringing new products to its …

National Fuel Gas – Gender Identity Non-Discrimination (2015)

September 30, 2014

WHEREAS National Fuel Gas does not explicitly prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or gender expression in its written employment policy; According to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2014 survey, 61 percent of Fortune 500 companies prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or expression, a historic high. We believe that corporations that explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression have a competitive advantage in recruiting and retaining employees from the widest talent pool; According to an analysis of surveys conducted by the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law, 16 to 68 percent of lesbian, …

Mineral Technologies – Gender Non-Discrimination Policy (2015)

August 13, 2014

WHEREAS Minerals Technologies Inc. does not explicitly prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or gender expression in its written employment policy; According to the Human Rights Campaign, nearly seventy percent of the Fortune 100 and fifty percent of the Fortune 500 now prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or expression; We believe that corporations that prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression have a competitive advantage in recruiting and retaining employees from the widest talent pool; According to an analysis of surveys conducted by the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law, sixteen to sixty eight …

FedEx’s Association with Washington, DC NFL Team Controversy – 2014

May 12, 2014

WHEREAS: This past year marked a major turning point in debate over the National Football League’s Washington D.C. franchise team name – “Redskins”. FedEx has naming rights to team’s stadium – FedExField. “Redskins” remains a dehumanizing word characterizing people by skin color and is a racial slur with hateful and offensive connotations. Proponents believe FedEx should drop or distance ties to the team, logos and/or stadium sponsorship until the franchise abandons its degrading name. Virtually every major national American Indian organization has publicly denounced use of Indian – and Native – related images, names and symbols disparaging or offending American …

Equal Employment Opportunity – The Home Depot, Inc.*

December 17, 2013

WHEREAS: Equal employment opportunity (EEO) is a fair employment practice and an investment issue. We believe companies with good EEO records have a competitive advantage in recruiting/retaining employees. We believe Home Depot customers are increasingly diverse. A diverse work force is more likely to anticipate and respond effectively to consumer demand. EEO practices have economic relevance.Home Depot annually files an EEO-1 report with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. This information could be made available to shareholders at a minimal additional cost.In 2001, Home Depot began providing EEO information to investors upon request.Since then, Home Depot reversed policy on disclosure of …

Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Policy – ExxonMobil Corporation (2014)*

December 17, 2013

Whereas:ExxonMobil Corporation does not explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in its written employment policy; Over 90% of the Fortune 500 companies have adopted written nondiscrimination policies prohibiting harassment and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, as have more than 95% of Fortune 100 companies, according to the Human Rights Campaign. Over 70% of the Fortune 100 and 57% of the Fortune 500 now prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or expression; We believe that corporations that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity have a competitive advantage in recruiting and …

Report on Government Requests for Customer Information – Verizon Communications (2014)

December 2, 2013

Whereas, Customer trust is critical for any business, but especially for Internet and telecommunications companies that gather personal data concerning and affecting the lives of hundreds of millions of people in the U.S. and around the world. The Wall Street Journal has reported that Verizon has provided millions of U.S. customers’ call records to the National Security Agency (NSA). Controversy over government surveillance programs reportedly involving Verizon has spurred massive global press coverage, hearings in the U.S. Congress and European legislature, and widespread calls for reform. Brazilian President Rousseff called the NSA surveillance program “a breach of international law.” U.S. …

Report on Government Requests for Consumer Information- AT&T (2014)*

December 2, 2013

Whereas, The Wall Street Journal has reported that AT&T has provided millions of U.S. customers’ call records to the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA). “US Collects Vast Data Trove,” June 7,2013. AT&T acknowledges in its corporate code of conduct that privacy is critical to the success of its business. Yet,the Company has not disclosed to customers and investors any information regarding the extent and nature of requests for customer data made on the Company by government agencies. Controversy over U.S. government surveillance programs reportedly involving AT&T has spurred massive global press coverage, hearings in the U.S. Congress and the European …

Gender Identity Non-Discrimination – National Fuel Gas (2014)

October 11, 2013

WHEREAS National Fuel Gas does not explicitly prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or gender expression in its written employment policy; According to the Human Rights Campaign, nearly seventy percent of the Fortune 100 and fifty percent of the Fortune 500 now prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or expression; We believe that corporations that prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression have a competitive advantage in recruiting and retaining employees from the widest talent pool; According to an analysis of surveys conducted by the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law, sixteen to sixty eight …

Information for Current eBay Shareholders Regarding Trillium’s 2013 Shareholder Proposal

March 27, 2013

On behalf of our clients, Trillium Asset Management filed a 2013 shareholder resolution with eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) which asks the Company’s Board of Directors to: “Publish a report, at reasonable expense and excluding confidential or proprietary information, explaining how the Board is overseeing privacy and data security risks”. The resolution appears as Proposal #4 on the Company’s 2013 proxy materials and is opposed by management. Rationale for Yes Vote Privacy and data security have quickly become one of the most critical business and social issues of our time. They are especially important for companies like eBay whose business depends …