    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 117, 108th Congress, 1st Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    117 STAT. 1052

    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 [NOTE: Sept. 30, 2003 -  [S. 678]] 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 [NOTE: Postmaster Equity Act of
    2003.] assembled,

    SECTION 1. [NOTE: 39 USC 101 note.] 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) [NOTE: Applicability.] 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, subsections (c) through (g) shall be applied with respect
    to postmasters and postmasters' organizations--
    ``(A) by substituting `postmasters' organization' for
    `supervisors' 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
    organizations 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;

    [[Page 1053]]
    117 STAT. 1053

    (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
    recognized by the Postal Service under subsection (b) as
    representing 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 [NOTE: 39 USC 1004 note.] 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
    represented by each of those respective organizations shall be
    made in a manner consistent with the purposes of this
    subsection.

    SEC. 3. [NOTE: 39 USC 1004 note.] 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.

    LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 678 (H.R. 2249):
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    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.