Filling vacancies on rural routes

§ 3338. Filling vacancies on rural routes (a) The Postmaster General shall post a notice in the post office of each new or vacant rural route and give all rural carriers attached to the office opportunity to apply. (b) A rural carrier assigned to a new or vacant route has ninety days in which to demonstrate his fitness for the assignment He may not be removed therefrom until his inability to fill the assignment is proven. The Postmaster General shall return any carrier so removed to his former position. (c) A senior rural carrier whose application for a new or vacant route is denied, or who is removed therefrom under subsection (b) of this section shall be furnished a written statement of the reasons for the action. He has the right, upon written request, to a hearing before a person designated by the Postmaster General. 74 Stat. 614 (d) The hearing shall be held within ten days from the date of the carrier’s request, unless prevented by unusual conditions, in which event he shall be given a written statement of the reasons for the postponement. (e) The rural carrier is entitled to be represented at the hearing by not more than three representatives of his own choosing. (f) This section does not supplant the Civil Service Regulations.