PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 20, 2003
Postmaster Equity Act of 2003 - Amends Federal law to declare that the Postal Service's employment policy shall provide for compensation, working conditions, and career opportunities that will assure the attraction and attention of qualified and capable postmaster personnel.Grants postmaster organizations the right to participate in program planning and development pertaining to pay policies, schedules, and fringe benefits and other postmaster programs.Authorizes, under specified conditions, a postmasters organization to request the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) to convene a fact-finding panel if the organization disagrees with the decision of the Service's proposal to change pay policies, schedules, and fringe benefit programs affecting postmasters that shall be in effect during the period covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the Service and certain recognized bargaining representatives. Prescribes guidelines for establishing the panel.Requires the panel to recommend standards for pay policies and schedules and fringe benefit programs affecting the members of the postmasters organizations for the period covered by the collective bargaining agreement and, consistent with such standards, make appropriate recommendations concerning the differences between the parties on such policies, schedules, and programs within 30 days after its appointment, unless the Service and the postmasters organization agree to a longer period.Authorizes the Service or the postmasters organization, three years after enactment of this Act, to request FMCS and the other party to create a panel to review the effectiveness of the procedures and other provisions of this Act and the Postal Service's employment policy.
People & committees
Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI] · D–HI
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 108-86.
Became Public Law No: 108-86.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 426 - 0 (Roll no. 505). (text: CR H8239)
House roll call 505 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 426 - 0 (Roll no. 505).(text: CR H8239)
House roll call 505 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H8256-8257)
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 678.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8239-8240)
Mr. Burton (IN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Held at the desk.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S10167-10168; text as reported in Senate: CR S10167-10168; text as passed Senate: CR S10168)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S10167-10168; text as reported in Senate: CR S10167-10168; text as passed Senate: CR S10168)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 235.
Committee on Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Collins with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 108-112.
Committee on Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Collins with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 108-112.
Committee on Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4176-4177)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4175-4176)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze S.678 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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