<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001985372-24-000002.txt : 20240202
<SEC-HEADER>0001985372-24-000002.hdr.sgml : 20240202
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20240202164719
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001985372-24-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	PX14A6G
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		3
FILED AS OF DATE:		20240202
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20240202
EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20240202

SUBJECT COMPANY:	

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MAXIMUS, INC.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001032220
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-BUSINESS SERVICES, NEC [7389]
		ORGANIZATION NAME:           	07 Trade & Services
		IRS NUMBER:				541000588
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			VA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		PX14A6G
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12997
		FILM NUMBER:		24592303

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ATTN: TREASURY DEPT.
		STREET 2:		1600 TYSONS BLVD, #1400
		CITY:			MCLEAN
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			22102
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7032518500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ATTN: TREASURY DEPT.
		STREET 2:		1600 TYSONS BLVD, #1400
		CITY:			MCLEAN
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			22102

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MAXIMUS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19970205

FILED BY:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SOC Investment Group
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001377739
		ORGANIZATION NAME:           	
		IRS NUMBER:				203688367

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		PX14A6G

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1900 L STREET NW
		STREET 2:		SUITE 900
		CITY:			WASHINGTON
		STATE:			DC
		ZIP:			20036
		BUSINESS PHONE:		202 721 6060

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1900 L STREET NW
		STREET 2:		SUITE 900
		CITY:			WASHINGTON
		STATE:			DC
		ZIP:			20036

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CtW Investment Group
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20061006
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>PX14A6G
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>mmsshletter.htm
<TEXT>

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<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 2pt"><B><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt" face="times new roman"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; S</FONT>ECURITIES &amp; EXCHANGE COMMISSION</FONT></B></P>

<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 2pt" align=center><B><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt" face="times new roman">WASHINGTON, D.C.&nbsp;&nbsp; 20549</FONT></B></P>

<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 2pt" align=center><B><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt" face="times new roman"></FONT></B>&nbsp;</P>

<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 2pt" align=center><B><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt" face="times new roman">NOTICE OF EXEMPT SOLICITATION (VOLUNTARY SUBMISSION)</FONT></B></P>

<P style="MARGIN: 0in"><B><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt" face="times new roman"></FONT></B>&nbsp;</P>

<P style="MARGIN: 0in"><B><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt" face="times new roman">NAME OF REGISTRANT:</FONT></B><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt" face="times new roman"> MAXIMUS Inc.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </FONT></P>

<P style="MARGIN: 0in"><B><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt" face="times new roman">NAME OF PERSON RELYING ON EXEMPTION:</FONT></B><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt" face="times new roman"> SOC Investment Group</FONT></P>

<P style="MARGIN: 0in"><B><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt" face="times new roman">ADDRESS OF PERSON RELYING ON EXEMPTION:</FONT></B><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt" face="times new roman">&nbsp; 1900 L Street, Suite 900, Washington, D.C.&nbsp;&nbsp; 20036</FONT></P>

<P style="MARGIN: 0in"><B><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt" color=#1a1a1a face="times new roman">Written materials are submitted pursuant to Rule 14a-6(g)(1) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:</FONT></B></P>

<P style="MARGIN: 0in"><B><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt" color=#1a1a1a face="times new roman">____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________</FONT></B></P>

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<IMG alt="Text&#10;&#10;Description automatically generated with medium confidence" src="x24020213290900.gif" width=282 height=66>&nbsp;</P></DIV>

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<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif>February 2, 2024</FONT></P>

<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif>To MAXIMUS Shareholders:</FONT></P>

<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif>We urge you to vote FOR Proposal #4, Shareholder Proposal Regarding Commission of a Third Party Assessment on Company's Commitment to Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining Rights at MAXIMUS&#8217;s annual shareholder meeting on March 12, 2024. Like similar resolutions that shareholders have filed over the past two years at companies including Starbucks, Apple, and Amazon, Proposal 4 asks the MAXIMUS Board of Directors to:</FONT></P>

<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0.5in 8pt"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif>[Commission] and oversee an independent, third-party assessment of MAXIMUS&#8217;s adherence, above and beyond legal compliance, to its stated commitment to workers&#8217; freedom of association and collective bargaining rights as contained in the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the International Labour Organization&#8217;s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, and as explicitly referenced in the company&#8217;s Human Rights Principles.</FONT></P>

<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif>Instead of engaging with investors to better understand what characteristics such an assessment should have in order to satisfy their concerns, MAXIMUS has cynically sought to pre-empt the proponents by initiating an &#8220;assessment&#8221; by a biased law firm that has recently represented the Company in&nbsp; employment-related litigation. Moreover, since our unsuccessful engagement with MAXIMUS, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced that it is recompeting the $6.6 billion Contact Center Operations (CCO) contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to operate call centers for Medicare and the Affordable Care Act.</FONT><SUP><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; BACKGROUND: white; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=calibri,sans-serif>1</FONT></SUP><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif> HHS also signaled its intention to require a labor harmony provision &#8211; a common method that the government uses to ensure uninterrupted service due to threats of labor disruption &#8211; in this contract.</FONT><SUP><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; BACKGROUND: white; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=calibri,sans-serif>2</FONT></SUP><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif>&nbsp; In FY2023, this contract accounted for 15.7% ($770 million) of Maximus&#8217; global revenue.</FONT><SUP><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; BACKGROUND: white; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=calibri,sans-serif>3</FONT></SUP><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif> Therefore, shareholders have every reason to reject MAXIMUS&#8217;s</FONT></P>

<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif>&nbsp;attempt to evade genuine scrutiny of its practices, and insist that the Board undertake a bona fide assessment. </FONT></P>

<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif>The SOC Investment Group works with pension funds sponsored by unions affiliated with the Strategic Organizing Center (SOC), a coalition of unions representing millions of members, to enhance long-term shareholder value through active ownership. These</FONT></P>

<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 2pt"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif>funds have over $250 billion in assets under management and are substantial MAXIMUS shareholders.&nbsp; </FONT></P>

<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 3pt"><B><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif></FONT></B>&nbsp;</P>

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<P style="MARGIN: 0in"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: super" face=calibri,sans-serif>1</FONT><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt" face=Calibri,sans-serif> U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, &#8220;Statement from Secretary Xavier Becerra and CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure on the CMS Call Center Contract,&#8221; Dec. 15, 2023.</FONT></P><FONT lang=EN-US></FONT></DIV>

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<P style="MARGIN: 0in"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: super" face=calibri,sans-serif>2</FONT><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt" face=Calibri,sans-serif> CMS, &#8220;Contact Center Operations &#8211; Request for Information,&#8221; Notice ID A230119. https://sam.gov/opp/7c4e9a33081d44049ded7360ae9ec7c9/view</FONT></P><FONT lang=EN-US></FONT></DIV>

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<P style="MARGIN: 0in"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: super" face=calibri,sans-serif>3</FONT><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt" face=Calibri,sans-serif> Revenue percentage calculated based on revenues of $770,352,735 received in FY2023 and Maximus&#8217;s FY2023 revenue of $4.9 billion. See USASpending.gov.</FONT></P><FONT lang=EN-US></FONT></DIV></DIV>

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<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt"><B><I><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif>MAXIMUS&#8217;s Human Rights Policy </FONT></I></B></P>

<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 6pt"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif>MAXIMUS states in its Human Rights Principles that &#8220;[r]especting human rights means more than simply following particular rules or laws. Being aware of and considering human rights means making a shared commitment to hold each other accountable to the highest standards of business conduct.&#8221;</FONT><SUP><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; BACKGROUND: white; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=calibri,sans-serif>4</FONT></SUP><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif> We agree, and further note that MAXIMUS specifically identifies Freedom of Association as a subject toward which it recognizes its responsibilities. Nevertheless, over the past two years, MAXIMUS has allegedly</FONT></P>

<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 6pt"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif>&nbsp;taken actions that appear inconsistent with its policy commitment. Any such misalignment between Company policy and practice would be concerning, and this apparent misalignment creates potentially significant risks to MAXIMUS&#8217;s operations and profitability.</FONT></P>

<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 6pt"><B><I><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif>MAXIMUS&#8217;s Response to Employees&#8217; Collective Action</FONT></I></B></P>

<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 6pt"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif>Several years ago, MAXIMUS workers began to organize with the Communication Workers of America (CWA), seeking to address concerns including a living wage, better career advancement opportunities, and affordable health care.</FONT><SUP><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; BACKGROUND: white; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=calibri,sans-serif>5</FONT></SUP><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif> During the COVID pandemic, these concerns expanded to include the ability of workers to work from home, the availability of personal protective equipment, and social distancing in the workplace for services that could not be delivered over home phone lines.</FONT><SUP><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; BACKGROUND: white; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=calibri,sans-serif>6</FONT></SUP><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif> </FONT></P>

<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 6pt"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif>MAXIMUS workers began a series of walkouts and strikes, and over the past two years there have been six such strikes, including a November 2023 strike in which 700 workers participated across eight worksites and effectively shut down call centers in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and Bogalusa, Louisiana.</FONT><SUP><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; BACKGROUND: white; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=calibri,sans-serif>7</FONT></SUP><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif> </FONT></P>

<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 6pt"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif>In response to this activity, MAXIMUS has taken actions that have resulted in the filing of multiple Unfair Labor Practice charges against it, including nine which are currently outstanding (meaning that the Regional Director for the National Labor Relations Board has not determined if the charges have merit). The outstanding ULP charges against the company include allegations that it discharged employees in retaliation for engaging in protected concerted activity and union activity (including speaking out against racial disparities at Maximus), and threatened employees with layoff and worksite closure in connection with employee protected union activity; granting special benefits to non-striking employees while depriving strikers of those same benefits because they chose to engage in strike activity; coerced and threatened a union supporter;&nbsp; summoned the police on workers while they were engaging in a lawful strike and disciplined an employee in retaliation for participating in the strike;&nbsp; and retaliated and </FONT>


<FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif>discriminated against a union supporter.</FONT><SUP><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; BACKGROUND: white; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=calibri,sans-serif>8</FONT></SUP><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif> Two charges that were filed in 2021 were determined to have merit, resulting in a complaint issued by Region 15 of the NLRB, and resulted in a settlement of the complaint.</FONT><SUP><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; BACKGROUND: white; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=calibri,sans-serif>9</FONT></SUP><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif> </FONT></P>

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<P style="MARGIN: 0in"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: super" face=calibri,sans-serif>4</FONT><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt" face=Calibri,sans-serif> MAXIMUS, Inc., <I>MAXIMUS Human Rights Principles</I>, https://maximus.com/sites/default/files/documents/MAXIMUS_Human-Rights-Statement_2020.pdf </FONT></P><FONT lang=EN-US></FONT></DIV>

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<P style="MARGIN: 0in"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: super" face=calibri,sans-serif>5</FONT><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt" face=Calibri,sans-serif> Sarah Jones, &#8220;A Distinctly American Irony&#8221; <I>New York Magazine</I>, February 2, 2020 https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/02/for-maximus-inequality-is-big-business.html </FONT></P><FONT lang=EN-US></FONT></DIV>

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<P style="MARGIN: 0in"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: super" face=calibri,sans-serif>6</FONT><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt" face=Calibri,sans-serif> Communications Workers of America, &#8220;Workers Demand That MAXIMUS Take More Proactive Steps to Protect Employees from Coronavirus&#8221; March 18, 2020. https://cwa-union.org/news/releases/workers-demand-maximus-take-more-proactive-steps-protect-employees-coronavirus- </FONT></P><FONT lang=EN-US></FONT></DIV>

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<P style="MARGIN: 0in"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: super" face=calibri,sans-serif>7</FONT><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt" face=Calibri,sans-serif> Communications Workers of America, &#8220;Maximus Workers Organizing With CWA Stage Largest Federal Call Center Strike in History,&#8221; Nov. 16, 2023. https://cwa-union.org/news/maximus-workers-organizing-cwa-stage-largest-federal-call-center-strike-history#:~:text=Maximus%20Workers%20Organizing%20With%20CWA%20Stage%20Largest%20Federal%20Call%20Center%20Strike%20in%20History,-November%2016%2C%202023&amp;text=Last%20week%2C%20700%20call%20center,call%20center%20strike%20in%20history. </FONT></P><FONT lang=EN-US></FONT></DIV></DIV>

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<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt"><B><I><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif>Growing Investor Concern Over Human Capital Management, Freedom of Association, and Collective Bargaining</FONT></I></B></P>

<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif>Increasingly, investors are calling on companies to recognize the importance workforce issues have to the sustainability of an enterprise. Over the past three years, shareholder proposals addressing freedom of association and collective bargaining concerns have been submitted at many companies, including Amazon, Apple, Starbucks, Wells Fargo, and CVS Health.</FONT><SUP><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; BACKGROUND: white; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=calibri,sans-serif>10</FONT></SUP><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif> These proposals have received considerable support from shareholders, notably including a majority of votes cast by Starbucks shareholders in </FONT></P>

<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif>support of an independent, unbiased third-party assessment proposal last year.</FONT></P>

<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif>More broadly, independent academic research has shown the presence of unions correlates positively with human capital management practices including low turnover, improved diversity, investment in training, and with low levels of legal and regulatory violations, conditions that have been consistently found to improve productivity and boost performance.</FONT><SUP><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; BACKGROUND: white; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=calibri,sans-serif>11</FONT></SUP><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif> Conversely, companies that actively oppose unionization experience significant declines in productivity and survival relative to companies that are less opposed, with the evidence indicating that &#8220;the overall negative effects are driven by manager&#8217;s or owner&#8217;s dislike of working with unions rather than economic costs of unions.&#8221;</FONT><SUP><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; BACKGROUND: white; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=calibri,sans-serif>12</FONT></SUP></P>

<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt"><B><I><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif>MAXIMUS&#8217;s &#8220;Assessment&#8221; is an Attempt to Pre-Empt Shareholder Action</FONT></I></B></P>

<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 6pt"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif>Our proposal asks MAXIMUS to commission an assessment of the alignment between its human rights policy commitments and its practices by an independent and unbiased third party. When we spoke to MAXIMUS representatives about our proposal, they informed us that they were already undertaking such an assessment and shared the name of the assessor with us, which we learned to be a management-side labor law firm with an extensive union avoidance practice. This firm&#8217;s website includes </FONT>


<FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif>services such as &#8220;Maintaining Union-Free Status,&#8221; in which it states that &#8220;[w]e also conduct employee relations &#8220;audits &#8230; to suggest realistic actions that should both improve morale and help avert a serious, costly union-organizing effort. The expense of such an &#8216;audit&#8217; in terms of both dollars and valuable management time is negligible when compared with the cost of overcoming a union-organizing drive.&#8221; This website further states that &#8220;[e]mployers frequently err by assuming that supervisors fully understand what union representation means to an operation and that they are steadfastly opposed to unionization. We have found that it is well worth the effort to effectively drive these points home, provide real-life examples and shape training so that the supervisors are appropriately motivated.&#8221; </FONT></P>

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<DIV id=ftn8><FONT lang=EN-US></FONT>

<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0.2pt 0in 0in"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: super; BACKGROUND: white" face=calibri,sans-serif>8</FONT><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt" face=Calibri,sans-serif> </FONT><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt" face=Calibri,sans-serif>Case #15-CA-292735</FONT><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt" color=blue face=Calibri,sans-serif>; </FONT><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt" face=Calibri,sans-serif>Case #15-CA-301668</FONT><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt" color=blue face=Calibri,sans-serif>; </FONT><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt" color=black face=Calibri,sans-serif>Case #</FONT><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt" color=#005ea2 face=Calibri,sans-serif>05-CA-301812<U>; </U></FONT><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt" color=black face=Calibri,sans-serif>Case #</FONT><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt" color=#005ea2 face=Calibri,sans-serif>05-CA-301812<U>; </U></FONT><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt" color=black face=Calibri,sans-serif>Case #</FONT><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt" color=#005ea2 face=Calibri,sans-serif>15-CA-305277<U>; </U></FONT><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt" color=#222222 face=Calibri,sans-serif>Case #</FONT><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt" color=#005ea2 face=Calibri,sans-serif>15-CA-306438<U>; </U></FONT><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt" color=#222222 face=Calibri,sans-serif>Case #</FONT><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt" face=Calibri,sans-serif>15-CA-318724&nbsp;</FONT></P><FONT lang=EN-US></FONT></DIV>

<DIV id=ftn9><FONT lang=EN-US></FONT>

<P style="MARGIN: 0in"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: super" face=calibri,sans-serif>9</FONT><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt" face=Calibri,sans-serif> Case #&#8217;s 15-CA-240635 and 15-CA-258452</FONT></P><FONT lang=EN-US></FONT></DIV>

<DIV id=ftn10><FONT lang=EN-US></FONT>

<P style="MARGIN: 0in"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: super" face=calibri,sans-serif>10</FONT><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt" face=Calibri,sans-serif> Committee on Workers&#8217; Capital, <I>Voting for Labour Rights: How the World&#8217;s Largest Asset Managers Measures up in Proxy Season 2023</I>. https://www.workerscapital.org/our-resources/voting-for-labour-rights-how-the-worlds-largest-asset-managers-measured-up-in-proxy-season-2023/ </FONT></P><FONT lang=EN-US></FONT></DIV>

<DIV id=ftn11><FONT lang=EN-US></FONT>

<P style="MARGIN: 0in"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: super" face=calibri,sans-serif>11</FONT><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt" face=Calibri,sans-serif> Sandra Lawson and Tanja Boskovic, <I>The making of long-term capitalism</I>, BlackRock, 2022 pg. 19 https://www.blackrock.com/corporate/literature/whitepaper/the-making-of-long-term-capitalism.pdf ; Marina Severinovsky, <I>The Value of Human Capital for Investors</I>, Schroders, December 2022, pgs. 14-15; Justin Wolfers and Jan Zilinsky, &#8220;Higher Wages for Low-Income Workers Lead to Higher Productivity<I>&#8221; Peterson Institute for International Economics</I>, January 13th, 2015 https://www.piie.com/blogs/realtime-economic-issues-watch/higherwages-low-income-workers-lead-higher-productivity ; Trillium Asset Management, <I>The Investor Case for Supporting Worker Organizing Rights</I>, July 2022, pgs.4-9 https://www.trilliuminvest.com/news-views/the-investor-case-for-supporting-worker-organizing-rights ; Committee on Workers&#8217; Capital, <I>Shared Prosperity: The Investor Case for Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining</I>, November 2022 pgs.33-41. https://www.workerscapital.org/our-resources/shared-prosperity-the-investor-case-for-freedom-of-association-and-collective-bargaining/ </FONT></P><FONT lang=EN-US></FONT></DIV>

<DIV id=ftn12><FONT lang=EN-US></FONT>

<P style="MARGIN: 0in"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; VERTICAL-ALIGN: super" face=calibri,sans-serif>12</FONT><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt" face=Calibri,sans-serif> Sean Wang and Samuel Young, &#8220;Unionization, Employer Opposition, and Establishment Closure&#8221; December 12, 2022 https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/newsroom/press-kits/2023/assa/unionization-employer-opposition-preview.pdf </FONT></P><FONT lang=EN-US></FONT></DIV></DIV>

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<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 6pt"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif>Clearly, this entity is not unbiased with respect to freedom of association and collective bargaining, and on that basis alone would not be a suitable assessor. But it is important to also note that this firm represented MAXIMUS in an employment discrimination matter last year. We do not believe that a law firm that has represented MAXIMUS in the past -- and may do so in the future -- can provide the sort of &#8220;independent&#8221; assessment that we are seeking.</FONT></P>

<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt"><B><I><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif>Conclusion</FONT></I></B></P>

<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif>Despite our efforts to engage with MAXIMUS, which would very likely have resulted in our withdrawing this proposal if a bona fide independent assessment were actually underway, the Company has seemed determined to stick with its clearly biased&nbsp; and non-independent assessor. Given the developments with the CCO contract discussed above, we believe that MAXIMUS risks not only further disruptions of its operations as more employees exercise their right to free association, but also the loss of existing clients and future business if it develops a reputation for inviting labor disputes or hostility toward unions. By voting FOR Proposal 4 at MAXIMUS&#8217;s March 12, 2024 annual general meeting, shareholders will send a clear message of support for a genuine assessment of the Company&#8217;s practices, and reject management&#8217;s attempt to substitute a biased white-washing in its place.</FONT></P>

<P style="BACKGROUND: white; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt" align=center><B><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif></FONT></B>&nbsp;</P>

<P style="BACKGROUND: white; TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt" align=center><B><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif>THIS IS NOT A PROXY SOLICITATION AND NO PROXY CARDS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Please execute and return your proxy card according to MAXIMUS&#8217; instructions.</FONT></B><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 106%; TEXT-AUTOSPACE: ideograph-numeric" face=Calibri,sans-serif> </FONT></P>

<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in"><FONT lang=EN-US style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt" face=Calibri,sans-serif>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </FONT></P></DIV>

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end
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
