The company's decision came within days of a Congressional hearing on cash balance plans. The results have often been impressive. They would never have been written without the Web site. None of this new activism could have happened without the Internet, in the view of Ms. French, who recently retired from I.B.M. She noted that the conversions had been going on for years with not a peep of protest. Now, it's very difficult not to.
Some employers play down the importance of Web protests on their policy making.
We heard their concerns and we made adjustments. Still, some people think the Web's role as a conduit for employee grievances will only grow. This will have a powerful impact on the workplace over the next 10 years. Ms. Winston is already looking beyond pension issues. We hope to branch out into health benefits.