Shareholders, Advocates Demand that Target Corp. Stop Political Spending, Unlawful Labor Practices; Invest in Communities, Workers
Contact: Susan Greenhalgh, (917)796-8782
Shareholders, Advocates Demand that Target Corp. Stop Political Spending, Unlawful Labor Practices; Invest in Communities, Workers
Telephone Press Conference Tuesday at 11am EST/10am CST Press Conference/Rally Wednesday 11am CST in Chicago
CHICAGO — Shareholders, advocacy groups and labor unions will hold a telephone press conference to detail plans to protest at Target Corporation’s annual shareholder meeting over the company’s continued use of corporate money to fund political campaigns, and its unlawful and unfair labor practices.
WHEN: The press call is Tuesday, June 12, 11:00am EST/10:00am CST; the rally
near Target’s shareholder meeting will be at Wednesday in Chicago at 11 am CT, details below.
TO JOIN THE CALL: Dial (877) 317-2314, conference ID: Target
WHO: Larisa Ruoff, Green Century Capital Management; Rey Lopez- Calderon, executive director, Common Cause Illinois; Marc Loveless, Coalition for Justice and Respect; Moises Zavala, director of organizing, UFCW Local 881; Blair Bowie, democracy advocate, U.S. Public Interest Research Group, Corporate Reform Coalition; Frank Brown, organizer – Justice 4 All, TakeAction Minnesota
WHAT: The exposure of Target’s 2010 political contributions to a gubernatorial candidate at odds with the progressive image the retailer has cultivated on social issues caused widespread public embarrassment, boycotts and disgrace for the Minneapolis-based company. Since then, Target has adopted some improved policies to govern and disclose political giving practices, but it continues to spend treasury money on political campaigns. The Boston-based investment firm Green Century capital management has filed a shareholder resolution requesting that the corporation change its policies and refrain from using its treasury funds for political purposes.
In addition, Target’s treatment of its own workers has raised national criticism. A National Labor Relations Board judge found in May that Target had unlawfully intimidated and threatened workers attempting to unionize at a store on Long Island, NY. Target is also expected to fire thousands of workers with seniority and benefits during its anticipated takeover of the Canadian Zellers’ retail chain.
On the telephone press call Tuesday, speakers from Common Cause, US PIRG, National People’s Action, and the Coalition for Justice and Respect, and the United Food and Commercial Workers will detail plans for a protest rally and press conference at the Target annual shareholder meeting in Chicago on Wednesday to demand changes in political spending policies and treatment of workers. The action is part of the “99 Power Movement,” which is engaging corporate leadership on a host of reform issues during the “shareholder spring.”
The rally/press conference one block from Target’s shareholder meeting will be held Wednesday at 11 am CT at Daley Plaza (at the corner of Dearborn and Washington).