Mail network protection

Section 404 of title 39, United States Code, is amended— (1)by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections (e) and (f), respectively; and (2)by inserting after subsection (c) the following:

(d)(1)The Postal Service may not enter into any contract described in paragraph (2) without first satisfying the requirements of paragraph (3). (2)A contract described in this paragraph is any contract providing for mail processing, mail handling, or surface transportation of mail, if such contract would, for any 12-month period, involve the equivalent of 50 or more workyears of work that would otherwise be performed by career postal employees within a recognized bargaining unit or cost the Postal Service $5,000,000 or more. (3)(A)Before entering into a contract described in paragraph (2) for services that would otherwise be performed by career postal employees within a recognized bargaining unit, the Postal Service shall first notify the exclusive representative of such unit (or each such unit) of its intent and, if requested, shall meet and bargain with the exclusive representative (in accordance with the provisions of chapter 12 relating to collective bargaining) with respect to the proposed contract. (B)If no agreement is reached within 60 days after collective bargaining commences, either party may invoke the dispute resolution procedures set forth in subsection (c) of section 1207, which subsection shall thereupon apply in accordance with its terms. (4)Any contract described in paragraph (2) which is not entered into in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (3) shall be void ab initio.