NEW FINDINGS

1. Executive Compensation

The Manhattan Institute released its first series of New Findings from ProxyMonitor database.  This set of findings focuses on public and private sector unions flexing their muscles over corporate America through the proxy process. Unions proposed 38 percent of all shareholder proposals for the years 2008-1010 and preliminary evidence from 2011 shows that this trend is going to continue into the future.

2. Social Policy

In its second series of New Findings, the Manhattan Institute released information from the ProxyMonitor database focused on social policy issues.  Findings include that over 40 percent of all shareholder social policy proposals relate to political activity, particularly political campaign contributions and trade associations.  Other data from the ProxyMonitor New Findings reveals environmental and human rights issues are at the forefront of shareholder proposals for social policy.

3. Corporate Governance

In its third series of New Findings, the Manhattan Institute released information from the ProxyMonitor database focused on corporate governance issues. The New Findings feature information about the labor unions and individual shareholder activists who are trying to change corporate structure related to chairman independence and voting rules.

4. Industry-by-Industry Trends

In its fourth series of New Findings, the Manhattan Institute released information from the ProxyMonitor database focused on industry-by-industry analysis. The New Findings feature information about labor union shareholder proposal activity in non-traditional industries like retail and financial services.