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Quick Report on IBM Annual Meeting Also read the excellent report in the Savannah Morning News April 24, 2001 - Savannah GA We arrived early, well before the meeting started. The first interesting event of the day was when the local Chief of Police challenged us at the front entrance. He asked us to move to the other side of the conference center, completely out of site of the main entrance. We knew we were on county, and therefore public property (we'd done our homework) and had a legal right to be there. He insisted we move. Jimmy Leas asked for his identification, but he didn't have any. Jimmy Tarlau (CWA) took charge and explained that CWA attorneys said this was legal. The Sheriff did not believe us. We asked him to check the law, so he went off to do so. Guess what? He didn't return. We were able to hand flyers about Resolution No. 4 (on pension and retirement medical) to stockholders as they arrived for the meeting. Resolution No. 4 received 14.7% support, less than last year's 28%, primarily because ISS, which advises institutional investors how to vote, did not support us this year. (Gee, I wonder if IBM had called them to "discuss" this?) I believe I reported at last year's annual meeting, how utterly unsympathetic Gerstner is to employees. Nothing was different this year. He still talks down to employees and retirees while wooing and soothing the "real" stockholders. Again, this year, I felt very ill in the meeting. Gerstner was either condescending to employees and retirees who asked questions, or he answered them with vague or misleading data -- such as quoting worldwide attrition rates when asked about the U.S. He also referred to a "survey" that says IBM is a top company that people desire to work for; he did not name the survey nor did he bring up the Business Ethics booby prize or the complete absence of IBM from the Fortune 100 list of Best Companies to work for, where IBM had been for many years. Once the meeting was adjourned we moved outside. The rally area was filled with press people, IBM employees and retirees, and supporters from local unions and other companies such as AT&T. Our event was opened with a prayer by Reverend Smalls, a local clergyman. Rally Speakers were:
Rev. Jackson spoke last, inspiring the crowds to join in and echo his words. His message was fairness to all working people, of all races and creeds; that working people deserve decent pensions and medical benefits. In a great show of international solidarity among IBMer's, two employees from IBM Germany joined us at the Rally, and Ernst Niemeier gave a short speech. Rev. Jackson was a controversial choice for a speaker, but I for one was glad that he came to show support for our cause. The support shown by other local workers, who came out of their way to attend and wore Alliance t-shirts, was equally impressive. The support and sympathy of everyone at the Rally was in stark contrast to the lack of sympathy and support from our CEO. Pictures will be online, hopefully tomorrow evening, after I spend the day working hard for IBM and the "real" stockholders. Linda Guyer
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