Postmasters Equity Act of 2003
PL 108-86 (S.678), enacted 09/30/2003

117 STAT. 1052
PUBLIC LAW 108–86—SEPT. 30, 2003
Public Law 108–86
108th Congress
An Act
To amend chapter 10 of title 39, United States Code, to include postmasters and
postmasters’ organizations in the process for the development and planning of
certain policies, schedules, and programs, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Postmasters Equity Act of 2003’’.
SEC. 2. POSTMASTERS AND POSTMASTERS’ ORGANIZATIONS.
(a) PERCENTAGE REPRESENTATION REQUIREMENT.—The second
sentence of section 1004(b) of title 39, United States Code, is
amended—
(1) by inserting ‘‘that an organization (other than an
organization representing supervisors) represents at least 20
percent of postmasters,’’ after ‘‘majority of supervisors,’’; and
(2) by striking ‘‘supervisors)’’ and inserting ‘‘supervisors
or postmasters)’’.
(b) CONSULTATION AND OTHER RIGHTS.—Section 1004 of title
39, United States Code, is amended—
(1) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (g) the following:
‘‘(h)(1) In order to ensure that postmasters and postmasters’
organizations are afforded the same rights under this section as
are afforded to supervisors and the supervisors’ organization, sub-
sections (c) through (g) shall be applied with respect to postmasters
and postmasters’ organizations—
‘‘(A) by substituting ‘postmasters’ organization’ for ‘super-
visors’ organization’ each place it appears; and
‘‘(B) if 2 or more postmasters’ organizations exist, by
treating such organizations as if they constituted a single
organization, in accordance with such arrangements as such
organizations shall mutually agree to.
‘‘(2) If 2 or more postmasters’ organizations exist, such organiza-
tions shall, in the case of any factfinding panel convened at the
request of such organizations (in accordance with paragraph (1)(B)),
be jointly and severally liable for the cost of such panel, apart
from the portion to be borne by the Postal Service (as determined
under subsection (f)(4)).’’.
(c) DEFINITIONS.—Subsection (i) of section 1004 of title 39,
United States Code (as so redesignated by subsection (b)(1)) is
amended—
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘and’’ after the semicolon;
Applicability.
39 USC 101 note.
Postmaster
Equity Act of
2003.
Sept. 30, 2003
[S. 678]
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117 STAT. 1053
PUBLIC LAW 108–86—SEPT. 30, 2003
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 678 (H.R. 2249):
SENATE REPORTS: No. 108–112 (Comm. on Governmental Affairs).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 149 (2003):
July 29, considered and passed Senate.
Sept. 16, considered and passed House.
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period and inserting
a semicolon; and
(3) by adding after paragraph (2) the following:
‘‘(3) ‘postmaster’ means an individual who is the manager
in charge of the operations of a post office, with or without
the assistance of subordinate managers or supervisors;
‘‘(4) ‘postmasters’ organization’ means an organization rec-
ognized by the Postal Service under subsection (b) as rep-
resenting at least 20 percent of postmasters; and
‘‘(5) ‘members of the postmasters’ organization’ shall be
considered to mean employees of the Postal Service who are
recognized under an agreement—
‘‘(A) between the Postal Service and the postmasters’
organization as represented by the organization; or
‘‘(B) in the circumstance described in subsection
(h)(1)(B), between the Postal Service and the postmasters’
organizations (acting in concert) as represented by either
or any of the postmasters’ organizations involved.’’.
(d) THRIFT ADVISORY COUNCIL NOT TO BE AFFECTED.—For
purposes of section 8473(b)(4) of title 5, United States Code—
(1) each of the 2 or more organizations referred to in
section 1004(h)(1)(B) of title 39, United States Code (as
amended by subsection (b)) shall be treated as a separate
organization; and
(2) any determination of the number of individuals rep-
resented by each of those respective organizations shall be
made in a manner consistent with the purposes of this sub-
section.
SEC. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.
The amendments made by this section shall take effect 60
days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Approved September 30, 2003.
39 USC 1004
note.
39 USC 1004
note.
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