Costco defends its diversity policies as other US companies scale theirs back

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By ANNE D’INNOCENZIO
Updated 11:29 AM CST, January 23, 2025

NEW YORK (AP) — Costco is pushing back on a shareholder proposal that urges the wholesale club operator to conduct an evaluation of any business risks posed by its diversity, equity and inclusion practices. Investors were expected to vote on the recommendation during the company’s annual meeting Thursday.

The National Center for Public Policy Research, a conservative think tank based in Washington, submitted the proposal, arguing that Costco’s DEI initiatives hold “litigation, reputational and financial risks to the company, and therefore financial risks to shareholders.”

The think tank has made a similar proposal to Apple, and like some American companies that already scaled back or retreated from their diversity policies, cited a U.S. Supreme Court decision in July 2023 that outlawed affirmative action in college admissions.

Costco officials could not be reached for comment on the DEI proposal.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/costco-shareholder-proposal-diversity-dei-0330f448741b35f2f788a36948ff3f95

[dem4decades]

1. I love Costco

[EYESORE 9001]

2. I applaud this statement from Costco

Stand up to fascism. Oh, BTW, Happy Birthday 😘🎉🎂🥳🎈🎊🎁

[DBoon]

3. I'm a Costco member and would like to show my support for this stand

Went all through their Website and couldn't find a place to submit general comments.

Anyone have any ideas? Maybe use USPS and mail them a short letter?

[republianmushroom]

4. Thank you COSTCO.

[usonian]

5. Steve, let me know how the strike plans are going.

I hate to start a membership when workers are set to strike on Feb 1.
Otherwise, a very good move.

[LauraInLA]

7. I spoke to workers in Burbank, CA, yesterday -- they said the argument was over retirement contributions

and posturing with a new contract due for negotiation. They (middle-aged man and woman) thought it was a bit overblown and hoped it was resolved quickly without a strike. (No idea how knowledgeable they were, just thought their POV was interesting.)

[Omaha Steve]

8. I'll try to remember

[IzzaNuDay]

6. I thank Costco every week

when I shop at their stores. Time for me to go thank them now

[dem4decades]

10. I thank them too much.

[4catsmom]

9. was going to drop my membership this year

but not now