View MacBride Principles and Equality Agenda Report

Shareholder pressure on corporations operating in Northern Ireland has directly resulted in fairer working conditions, according to a report released by Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr.  The report, The MacBride Principles and the Equality Agenda in Northern Ireland, details increased willingness on the part of corporations to enact fair employment standards and measures to improve work conditions.  As a result, Thompson stated, the workplace is the most integrated sector of society in Northern Ireland. 

Thompson issued the report after he and Stephen Cassidy, president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association, visited Ireland in September.  There, they met with elected officials and examined corporations that are a part of New York City’s pension funds portfolio to determine if they are complying with the MacBride Principles. 

“Largely due to the efforts of the New York City pension funds and advocates, a lot of progress has been made in Northern Ireland.” Thompson said. “As of 2006, 88 United States and Canadian companies operating in the area have agreed to implement the fair employment standards embodied in the MacBride Principles.  I’m proud to say that 22 of these companies have come on board since I became Comptroller.  I fully intend to continue the long tradition of shareholder activism in support of human rights struggles.

“New York City’s pension funds have $9 billion in assets in over 260 companies invested in Northern Ireland.”  Thompson continued.  “We clearly have a vested interest in the region and must continue to push for corporate social responsibility. Firms that incorporate these concerns in their business plans can make for wiser investments while benefiting society at the same time.”

The New York City Comptroller’s Office played a key role in developing the MacBride Principles, in partnership with Nobel Peace laureate Dr. Sean MacBride. Created in 1984, the MacBride Principles created equal opportunity employment guidelines for companies doing business in Northern Ireland and played a key role in the fight to develop fair employment legislation in Northern Ireland.

The nine principles include: banning of provocative religious or political emblems in the workplace; appointing senior management staff to oversee the company’s affirmative action efforts to set up timetables to carry out affirmative action principles; and increasing the representation of individuals from underrepresented religious groups in the workforce, including managerial, supervisory, administrative, clerical and technical jobs;

Among the report’s findings:

1. In England and Northern Ireland, new laws have been adopted and enforcement efforts have increased.  The British Parliament adopted the Fair Employment Act in 1989, imposing equal employment opportunity requirements on businesses. 
   
   
2. Since the MacBride principles were formulated, 17 states and over 40 municipalities, including New York City, have enacted laws tying their investment and/or procurement policies to corporate agreements to adhere to the MacBride Principles;
   
   
3. The number of Catholics employed in Northern Ireland has increased generally and among some employers, that number has grown significantly.  For example, the Northern Ireland Civil Service is Ireland’s largest employer and its Catholic employment there increased by 20% since 1990. 
   
   
4. Working conditions for Catholic workers in Northern Ireland have improved.  The common practice of intimidation by display of sectarian flags and emblems has effectively ended. 

Since 1989, more than two-thirds of U.S.-based companies operating in Northern Ireland in the City’s portfolio have adopted and complied with the Principles instituted by the New York City Employees Retirement System. In recent years, three major companies - Coca Cola, Exxon and Marriott International - agreed to urge franchise holders in Northern Ireland to implement the Principles and adhere to fair employment standards to foster a diverse workforce.

“While I am pleased that the funds have been successful in urging companies to adopt the MacBride Principles, we are not satisfied,” Thompson said. “We will continue to vigorously monitor the situation in our continuing fight for social justice.”

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