![\"stop-staples\"](\"https:\/\/postalemployeenetwork.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/stop-staples.gif\")
<\/a><\/p>\nNot Much Better<\/strong><\/p>\n The situation inside the meeting wasn\u2019t much better for Staples CEO Ron Sargent. Several union members held proxies, which allowed them to gain entry to the meeting and propose resolutions.<\/p>\n APWU National Business Agent Shirley Taylor challenged the re-election of Robert Sulentic to Staples\u2019 board of directors, noting that he has an apparent conflict of interest. Sulentic is also CEO of CBRE, the giant real estate firm that holds an exclusive contract to sell post offices and other USPS facilities.<\/p>\n The agreement between Staples and the Postal Service is leading to post office closures and reductions in hours, Taylor pointed out.<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Sulentic’s involvement with Staples postal counters constitutes self-dealing and is a violation of SEC rules on self-dealing and Staples’ own ethics policies,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Sargent, the Staples CEO, dismissed Taylor\u2019s remarks, saying the deal with the Postal Service was simply a merchandising decision that wasn\u2019t brought before the board.<\/p>\n Western Region Coordinator Omar Gonzalez proposed a resolution seeking a report about the human rights impact of the deal between the USPS and Staples. The majority of shareholders voted against the non-binding resolution.<\/p>\n \u2018We Won\u2019t Give Up!\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n Staples executives refused to talk to the press about the company\u2019s deal with the U.S. Postal Service or the protests.<\/p>\n The entire event lasted a little more than one-half hour, beginning at 8 a.m. and ending by 8:35 a.m.<\/p>\n \u201cThey know we were there,\u201d said Rich Shelley, APWU\u2019s lead organizer for the Stop Staples campaign. \u201cAnd we won\u2019t give up!\u201d<\/p>\n