FederalDaily - September 29, 2005
USPS Issues New 5-Year Plan
This week the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Board of Governors approved USPS’ plans
for 2006-2010. Postmaster General John E. Potter said during the next five
years the USPS “will continue to reduce costs by improving efficiency
in all our operational and business processes.” He added, “We will
bring service performance to even higher levels. We will use the best technology…” Touching
on the possibility of new laws affecting how the USPS will run, Board Chairman
Jim Miller said, “We cannot predict the final form of postal reform legislation-or
even if it will occur.” Details of the new five-year plan can be found
at www.usps.com/strategicplanning/transform.htm.
In other business, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President Richard
J. Strasser, Jr. presented the fiscal year 2006 operating and capital plans. "We
project revenue of $72.3 billion, an increase of 3.4 percent, to be offset
by a like percentage increase in expenses. The plan calls for cost reductions
of $1.1 billion, including work-hour reductions of 42 million hours," said
Strasser.
:: Back to Top ::
GAO Studies Pay-for-Performance
Although the federal government needs to improve, the Government Accountability
Office (GAO) said, in many cases, the federal government has not transformed
how it classifies, compensates, develops and motivates its employees to achieve
maximum results. A new GAO report said that a key question is how to update
the federal government’s compensation system to be market-based and performance-oriented.
GAO convened a symposium in March to discuss public, private and nonprofit
organizations’ efforts in designing and managing market-based and more
performance-oriented pay systems. GAO reported on the organizations’ strategies:
- Examine the value of employees’ total compensation
to remain competitive in the market.
- Build in safeguards to enhance the transparency and fairness
of pay decisions.
- Provide training on management and interpersonal skills to
facilitate communication.
- Build consensus to gain ownership and acceptance for pay
reforms.
- Monitor and refine the implementation of the pay system.
:: Back to Top ::
DHS TV Show a Hoax
Joseph M. Medawar, 43, was arrested this week by FBI and IRS special agents
on charges arising from an investment scam in which he claimed to investors
that his company, Steeple Entertainment, was producing a television series
based on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), according to the Department
of Justice. According to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in the Central
District of California, Medawar told investors that his show, entitled “DHS,” had
the endorsement of President Bush and the real DHS, and that he had contracts
to distribute the show in 137 overseas markets. In fact, Medawar did not have
the endorsement of President Bush or the real DHS. On the contrary, Medawar
had been told specifically by the actual DHS that he did not have permission
to use their name or official seal. Beginning as early as May 2003 through
the present, Medawar raised more than $5.5 million from more than 70 investors.
:: Back to Top ::
|
