Federal Daily - May 21, 2008
Potter Upbeat About USPS Future
Despite disappointing second quarter financial results for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), Postmaster
General John Potter remained upbeat about the future of the USPS in comments to mailers this week,
noting that changes in federal law will give USPS greater pricing flexibility and other competitive
advantages. Potter made his remarks May 19 at the National Postal Forum, a major mailing industry trade
show. Potter told industry customers to take advantage of volume pricing and to look forward to contract
pricing in the coming months. “We’ve only scratched the surface on the changes the new
law will enable,” he said. “Personally, I’m bullish on the future of the mail.” To
see more, go to: www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2008/pr08_058_2.htm.
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Air Force Equal Opportunity Programs Merge Into One Office
The Air Force announced on May 19 that it was merging its military equal opportunity (MEO) and civilian
equal employment opportunity (EEO) and affirmative employment programs into one single Equal Opportunity
(EO) office. The EO transformation initiative encompasses two phases, according to Lt. Gen. Dick Newton,
deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services at the Pentagon. One phase began last September
when Air Force EO officials held an initial Air Force Smart Operations 21 inspection, which looked
at the progress of agency affirmative employment programs. As a result, several working groups were
formed to develop service-wide strategies on affirmative employment and special emphasis programs.
This phase is scheduled to be completed by end of 2008. Another phase, which is to conclude in July,
involves merging the MEO and EEO work forces and providing the combined work force with formal training
on military and civilian EO processes and procedures. “This allows for EO offices to take on
the programs in a collaborative effort,” Newton said, “resulting in the goal of ensuring
the work force is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment of all kinds.” To see
more, go to: www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123099270.
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Bill Would Offer Electronic Pay Stub Alternative
Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., sponsored a bill that—if it becomes law—would offer federal
employees the option of receiving their pay stub via email rather than through the standard mail. Electronic
pay stubs (e-stubs) would use less paper, offer greater security for employees and provide a cost-savings
for the government. A study conducted in Idaho found that paper stubs cost 10 times more than e-stubs—$0.30
as compared to $0.03, Foxx said. Many states, companies and corporations, currently offer an e-stub
option. To see more, go to: www.house.gov/hensarling/rsc/doc/ca_051908_foxxstub.pdf.
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