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Postal News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2002
Contact: (202) 268-2155
Release No. 02-051
U.S. POSTAL SERVICE RANKED 8TH IN FORTUNE MAGAZINE'S TOP-50 "BEST COMPANIES FOR MINORITIES" LIST
More than one-third of employees are minorities
More than one-third of employees are minorities
WASHINGTON - For the third year in a row, the U.S. Postal Service ranks among the top of the nation's major companies in embracing diversity.
Fortune magazine's July 8, 2002, issue ranked the Postal Service 8th on its "Best Companies for Minorities" list. Notably, the Postal Service remains the highest ranked transportation/delivery service provider for the third consecutive year.
Fortune's selection was based on the Postal Service's commitment to hiring, promoting and retaining an inclusive workforce.
"The Postal Service recognizes that today's competitive environment requires the most qualified workforce to be successful," said Benjamin Ocasio, vice president, Diversity Development for the Postal Service. "Inclusion is the only way to meet that need."
Even as the Postal Service nearly topped Fortune's "Best Companies for Minorities" list, it was not impervious to the economic obstacles facing most major corporations. In fact, the Postal Service trimmed its total workforce by more than 20,000 employees, yet its overall representation of women and minorities continued to increase.
Minorities in the Postal Service not only have a strong presence in entry-level jobs, but they are also well represented throughout all levels of management. As of the end of 2001, nearly one-fifth (18 percent) of the Board of Governors, one-fifth (19 percent) of the Top-Paid Executives and one-third (31 percent) of all Officials and Managers were minorities.
The specific minority workforce breakdown in 2001 was 21.4 percent African American, 7.4 percent Hispanic, 6.9 percent Asian, and 0.6 percent Native American, totaling 36.2 percent of its overall employee population.
The Postal Service is one of the largest civilian employers in the country, with 770,373 career employees in 2001, and employs more minority employees (278,789) than any other company on Fortune's list. In addition, 54 percent of the 19,060 new employees hired last year were minorities, which is a trend that is expected to keep the Postal Service among the top companies for minorities in the years to come.
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