Yay for nuns
This morning I heard an interesting story on CBC Calgary. The Benedictine Sisters of Boeme, Texas issued a shareholder proposal at the recent Walmart Annual Meeting, regarding wage disparity between executive officers and front-line staff. I couldn't find the current story online, but I did find a background piece written before the annual meeting. I love hearing stories about regular citizens holding big business accountable for their actions. Unfortunately, this one did not end as well as I would have liked. The proposal was voted down by shareholders at the meeting. It seems that many of the larger corporate shareholders, like Canada Pension Plan and some mutual fund companies, are not interested in howWalmart pays it's executives. It's not a lost cause, though. With increased media coverage and individuals pressuring their government and their investment companies, the balance of power can shift. Also, socially responsible investment companies, many of them faith-based, are becoming more prevalent. These organizations help those of us who feel overwhelmed by business ethics, or by inertia, take that next step towards action.
posted by s.o.e. @ 6/06/2006 03:54:00 PM
1 Comments:
Hurray for the Benedictine sisters!
Thanks for sharing Lisa.
On a related matter. I found this on Sojourners a couple days ago.
Steve
The Waltons Will Be OK ...
... the Wal-Mart heirs, that is. But millions of other Waltons, Jones, and Smiths may not.
If Senate leadership has its way, American inequality is about to take a giant step forward with efforts to repeal or gut the estate tax. Never mind it's been in place for nearly 100 years, is a substantial source of government revenue, and has been a major catalyst to charitable giving. And it only affects the wealthiest half of 1 percent of Americans - most family farms and small businesses are exempt.
A repeal of the estate tax will cost an estimated 1 trillion dollars in federal revenue over the next 10 years, substantially increase the deficit, dramatically diminish the resources available to help low-income families escape poverty, and further increase the pressure on the budget from the high cost of war.
Make a call to preserve the common good! Tell your senators to oppose repeal or drastic cuts in the estate tax!
Call toll-free, 1-800-459-1887*, now!
Here's the message: Please tell the senator to vote against any motion or bill to repeal or drastically cut the estate tax. The Senate should not bring up such a vote because we cannot invest in the common good if we hand hundreds of billions of dollars to a tiny number of millionaire heirs.
Use the toll-free number above to reach the U.S. Capitol switchboard and ask to be connected to your senator's office. (The person at the switchboard can figure out who your senators are if you're not sure).
+ See how many estates paid the estate tax in 2004.
* The toll-free number is provided courtesy of the American Friends Service Committee which has launched a budget campaign, http://www.afsc.org/economic-justice/sos/. AFSC welcomes groups to circulate and use the toll-free number in support of nonpartisan budget goals and without linking the alert to a Web site soliciting donations or actions which may be used to support partisan lobbying or work.
+ Share this issue with your friends
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