The measure failed, but received almost a third of the vote, more than most shareholder proposals do.

The company said it opposes all six shareholder proposals.

In addition, a member wrote a shareholder proposal that would have required Nynex to add such a category.

And there is always the possibility that a shareholder proposal will gather the votes to win.

Four shareholder proposals, including two related to executive pay, will come up for a vote.

Companies are also becoming more willing to address the issues raised in some shareholder proposals.

It has also been one of the most energetic, presenting 42 shareholder proposals involving 27 companies from 1988 to 1991.

There were 11 shareholder proposals on the ballot, many of them dealing with executive compensation issues.

"These rights are best secured under consistent national application of Rule 14a-8 to shareholder proposals."

He knows that companies are not bound by the votes on most shareholder proposals.