SEATTLE (AP) Seattle-based Amazon.com, Inc. has asked federal regulators to block multiple shareholder proposals addressing criticism of company stances on curbing hate speech, diversity in hiring, workplace conditions and surveillance technologies.
Shareholders would not have an opportunity to vote on the proposals at the company s shareholder meeting this year if the request is granted, The Seattle Times reported. Last year, none of the shareholders proposals were approved.
The Securities and Exchange Commission declined to comment on whether it planned to allow Amazon to drop the proposals from the shareholder meeting docket.
Companies often ask the commission for permission to drop shareholder proposals and Amazon last year sought to exclude nine proposals. Amazon was given permission to exclude seven of the nine requests.
Amazon seeks to block resolution calling for racial audit
Saijel Kishan, Bloomberg News VIDEO SIGN OUT
Amazon.com Inc. is asking U.S. regulators to block a shareholder proposal from the New York State Common Retirement Fund that asked the company to conduct an audit on racism and diversity.
The US$226 billion pension plan co-filed a resolution last month calling on the worldâs largest online retailer to assess its impact on civil rights, racial equity, diversity and inclusion. The fund cited alleged discrimination of the companyâs Black and Latinx workers, their low wages and exposure to dangerous working conditions, including COVID-19, as well as air pollution from distribution facilities located in minority neighborhoods.
Amazon s lawyers made the claim on Tuesday, a day after Parler on Monday filed a lawsuit against Amazon claiming a breach of contract and antitrust violation