Step 2 Dispute Notification – Double Meal Allowance

Bulletin 9 – 2015

To: RTBU Transport Officer Sub-Division Members,

The RTBU has escalated the dispute regarding double meal allowance entitlements for Transport Officers today with Sydney Trains.

The basis of the dispute is found under the heading Incidentals, Section 65.3 pursuant to the Sydney Trains Enterprise Agreement 2014. This clause outlines how this entitlement is calculated and states as below;

“65.3   A service entitlement will be calculated as follows:

                        Breakfast – Depart home station before 0700 or return thereto after 0800.

                        Lunch – Depart home station before 1300 or return thereto after 1400.

                        Dinner – Depart home station before 18.30 or return thereto after 1830.

                        Bed – Depart home station before 0100 or return thereto after 0100.”

Currently, Transport Officers are paid a meal allowance. This was due to a number of factors which include:

• The limited facilities available to store the amount of food at the Transport Officer Depot if all Transport Officers brought their food with them.

• The duties of Transport Officers makes returning to the depot for a meal break unviable.

It is likely that the claim by Transport Officers will be supported by Sydney Trains payroll as they believe that Transport Officers ARE entitled to a double meal allowance.

The RTBU will be meeting with Sydney Trains in relation to this dispute soon and will be updating the membership accordingly.

If you have any questions or comments please contact your local delegate or the RTBU office.