STRYKER CORPORATION | Support transparency in political spending at STRYKER CORPORATION

Status
Withdrawn
AGM date
Previous AGM date
Proposal number
7
Resolution details
Company ticker
SYK
Lead filer
Individual
Resolution ask
Report on or disclose
ESG theme
  • Governance
ESG sub-theme
  • Lobbying / political engagement
Type of vote
Shareholder proposal
Filer type
Shareholder
Company sector
Health Care
Company HQ country
United States
Resolved clause
Resolved, shareholders request that the Company provide a report, updated semiannually, disclosing the Company's:
1. Policies and procedures for making, with corporate funds or assets, contributions and expenditures (direct or indirect)
to (a) participate or intervene in any campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office, or (b)
influence the general public, or any segment thereof, with respect to an election or referendum.
2. Monetary and non-monetary contributions and expenditures (direct and indirect) used in the manner described in
section 1 above, including:
a. The identity of the recipient as well as the amount paid to each; and
b. The title(s) of the person(s) in the Company responsible for decision-making.
The report shall be presented to the board of directors or relevant board committee and posted on the Company's website within 12
months from the date of the annual meeting. This proposal does not encompass lobbying spending.
Supporting statement
Long-term Stryker shareholders support transparency and accountability in corporate electoral spending. This includes any activity
considered intervention in a political campaign under the Internal Revenue Code, such as direct and indirect contributions to political
candidates, parties, or organizations, and independent expenditures or electioneering communications on behalf of federal, state, or
local candidates.
A company's reputation, value, and bottom line can be adversely impacted by political spending. The risk is especially serious when
giving to trade associations, Super PACs, 527 committees, and "social welfare" organizations – groups that routinely pass money to or
spend on behalf of candidates and political causes that a company might not otherwise wish to support.
A recent poll of retail shareholders by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research found that 83% of respondents said they would have more
confidence investing in corporations that have adopted reforms that provide for transparency and accountability in political spending.
This proposal asks SYK to disclose all of its electoral spending, including payments to trade associations and 501(c)(4) social welfare
organizations, which may be used for electoral purposes – and are otherwise undisclosed. This would bring our Company in line with a
growing number of leading companies, including Celanese Corp., PPG Industries Inc., and International Paper Co., which present this
information on their websites.
Without knowing the recipients of our company's political dollars SYK Directors and shareholders cannot sufficiently assess whether our
company's election-related spending aligns or conflicts with its policies on climate change and sustainability, or other areas of concern.
Improved SYK political spending disclosure will protect the reputation of SYK and preserve shareholder value. Filed by John Chevedden

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