posted July 4, 2004

History of a 204-b

Ever wonder why acting supervisors are called 204-bs? We did, so we did a little research.

In the past it was thought that “204b” was the number of the original form completed to put someone in an acting supervisor position many years go, when the U.S. Postal Service was known as the Post Office Department. 

Wrong.

USPS Historian Megaera Ausman found the answer, citing this pertinent section 204.(b) from Public Law 68-June 10, 1955, titled Dual Employment and Extra Duties:

“Sec. 204.(b) As the needs of the service require, an employee may be assigned from time to time to perform, without change in compensation, duties and responsibilities other than the duties and responsibilities specifically set forth in his position description; however, if any employee is assigned for more than thirty days in any calendar year to duties and responsibilities of a salary level which is higher than the salary level to which his position is assigned, except to perform service in a relief capacity for a supervisor granted compensatory time pursuant to section 603, he shall be paid for the period of his assignment in excess of thirty days a basic salary computed in accordance with provisions of section 502.”

And that’s the name of that tune.

Special thanks to Rosa Flores from the National Association of Postal Supervisors for her assistance.                                                                                                 

source: USPS