We have received many questions from Members regarding the new Article 16 Per Diem language. The new language changes the $35 and $40 per day per diem expense reimbursement to “the regular per diem rate for meals and incidental expenses as used by the IRS and effective on the day to which the per diem applies.” The complete language covers the eligibility for Per Diem and it is important to familiarize yourself as to what you are entitled to in this Article. The following is Article 16.3 with the new contract language bolded.

ARTICLE 16 - TRANSFERS, TRAVEL ALLOWANCES, AND MOVING EXPENSES

3 Travel Allowances - Temporary Transfers, Assignments or Reassignments
Beyond Commuting Distance

(a) If an employee is temporarily transferred, assigned or reassigned to a reporting
location more than thirty-five (35) road miles from the permanent reporting
location, or to a location to which, in the judgment of the Company, daily
commuting is not practical, the Company will, at the option of the employee:
             

              (1) Provide the per diem expense reimbursement of either Paragraph 3(b) or
                    3(c) plus reimbursement for lodging at the location, or;
         

               (2) Providing an employee meets the criteria of Paragraphs 2(a), 2(b) and 2(c),
                    afford the employee the option of reimbursement for actual commuting
                    mileage at the highest IRS allowable rate per mile. Except as provided in
                    3(e) below, on temporary assignments of greater than one (1) day,
                    commuting time for employees reimbursed pursuant to this Paragraph shall
                    not be considered time worked.

(b) The per diem expense payment for those temporary transfers, assignments or
reassignments in which lodging only is provided shall be the regular per diem
rate for meals and incidental expenses as used by the IRS and effective on the
day to which the per diem applies. The rate shall be for the location in the
continental United States (contiguous 48 states) to which the employee is
transferred assigned or reassigned. For all other locations in the United States,
the standard per diem rate for meals and incidental expenses used by the IRS
shall apply. No other expense reimbursement will be paid on a day for which a
per diem is allowed, except for travel related expenses as provided for in
Paragraphs 4(c), 5 and/or 6.

(c) The per diem expense payment for those temporary transfers, assignments or
reassignments in which lodging and meals are provided shall be three dollars
($3.00) a day for the first five (5) days and shall be five dollars ($5.00) a day for
the sixth day and thereafter. This per diem expense reimbursement paid when
lodging and meals are provided covers laundry, local transportation, gratuities,
and other expenses which the employee may incur. No other expense
reimbursement will be paid on a day in which a per diem is allowed, except for
travel related expenses as provided for in Paragraphs 4(c), 5 and/or 6.

(d) Except in the case of an employee attending a Company school at which the
employee is required to live and remain, if the temporary work location is more
than thirty-five (35) road miles from the employee's regular reporting location,
an employee may elect to receive an allowance of forty-five ($45.00) per day in
lieu of board and lodging for each day of the temporary assignment so long as
the employee does not actually commute between his or her home and the
temporary reporting location.

(e) Time spent traveling at the start and end of an assignment under the provisions
of Paragraphs 3(a) and 3(d) will be considered time worked. This will not
include time spent traveling to and from the temporary living quarters to the
temporary work location.

(f) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Article, an employee eligible to
receive a per diem expense payment pursuant to Paragraph 3(b), 3(c), or 3(d)
of this Article shall also be reimbursed for telephone calls of reasonable number
and length, provided they would otherwise be eligible for the AT&T Toll
Discount Program.

Note: If you travel for Temporary Transfers, Assignments or Reassignments Beyond Commuting Distance and which involves lodging that you are eligible for, then you should familiarize yourself with this language. It is important that you advise your supervisor of your eligibility and to know the Per Diem rates for the location that you are assigned to.

In unity,

Roy Hegenbart
President
CWA Local 3250