SWOPblogger

Responsibility in the Balance

Toward real accountability

Intel’s corporate responsibility reports and the Electronic Code of Conduct present Intel as a company as committed to adding to the community as it is adding to shareholder value.

Yet Intel’s behavior raises questions if Intel is serious about corporate responsibility or if the company uses Corporate Responsibility to deflect criticism.

In 2004, a shareholder resolution was sponsored by New Mexico community environmental group, The Southwest Organizing project, (SWOP) and the Jessie Smith Noyes foundation. In exchange for the group removing the resolution Intel resolved to set-up a Community Advisory Board28 in Rio Rancho, NM. This led to the creation of Intel’s Community Environmental Working Group (CEWG) in Albuquerque, chaired by John Bartlitt of New Mexicans for Clean Air and Water, a Los Alamos-based group.

Intel admits “two of Intel’s strongest critics,” Corrales Residents for Clean Air and Water and South West Organizing Project, have refused to participate.

Robby Rodriguez Executive Director of SWOP explained:

"We didn’t feel that CEWG held the promise for any meaningful change. Its leadership was hand- picked by Intel, and not representative of the actual community opposition to their practices with regard to water use and chemical emissions. It’s clear to us that Intel views this as a public relations effort, not an effort at real accountability or corporate responsibility."

My name is Juan Carlos Ramirez. I worked as a washer at Prudential Overall Supply in Milpitas, California for three years. Each morning I spent hours washing items for Intel Corporation.

Last fall, my coworkers and I set out to improve conditions by forming a union at our plant. Prudential responded by suspending me from my job. After my coworkers came together, I was reinstated, but the company's attacks continued and we were forced to strike for four months. Soon after the strike I was laid off again. That's why I chose to speak out a Intel's shareholder meeting.

Labels: Envirionmental Justice, Intel, Shareholder Strategies, worker's rights

# posted by karlos @ 7:00 AM