Statement from NYC Comptroller Brad Lander on Filing of Shareholder Proposals on Workers’ Rights at Major U.S. Companies

New York, NY – The New York City Retirement Systems joined the New York State Common Retirement Fund in filing shareholder proposals urging major employers to respect the rights of workers. New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced the proposals today on behalf of the New York State Common Retirement Fund, which were filed at Walmart, CVS Pharmacy, Netflix and DoorDash.

The proposals at CVS Pharmacy and Walmart urge the companies to initiate a third-party assessment of the companies’ adherence to their commitment to workers’ freedom of association and collective bargaining rights as contained in each company’s Human Rights Policy. The proposals at Netflix and DoorDash urge the companies to adopt and disclose a noninterference policy to uphold workers’ freedom of association and collective bargaining rights.

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander issued the following statement: “Respecting workers’ rights to organize – and not interfering when they do – should be the standard expected of any responsible employer. Aggressive anti-union practices that spill into the press, violate labor laws, or contradict a company’s own policies can pose reputational and financial risks for businesses. We’re proud to make that standard clear to more of the country’s major employers as reflected in the New York City Retirement Systems’ agreement with Apple and ongoing efforts with Starbucks. We are pleased to join Comptroller DiNapoli and the New York State Common Retirement Fund to emphasize that long-term value is dependent on the wellbeing of a company’s workforce, and we expect portfolio companies to act accordingly.”

The New York City Retirement Systems are also engaged in similar shareholder advocacy around workers’ rights to organize at Starbucks and Apple. The systems filed a shareholder resolution at Starbucks and recently announced an agreement with Apple to conduct a third-party assessment of its response to worker organizing.

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