From Postal Bytes
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.