If you are entitled to expenses, the BRS BNSF Agreement allows reimbursement for expenses that are considered "necessary and actual". This would include any reasonable and true expense that was incurred under various applicable Agreement rules.  Some rules to reference on topic are rules 13, 46 and 47 for hourly crew employees and rule 14 for monthly rated employees.

The Carrier sets the policy for how these expenses are processed and approved which may involve submitting receipts or other information. These requirements are fine, as long as no conflict is created between the Agreement and Carrier policies. The Agreement always has precedence.

Expenses vary from region to region based on numerous factors. As such, the Agreement does not set a cap on the dollar amount for what is considered reimbursable. This has not stopped the occasional Carrier officer from attempting to creatively limit expenses with their own instructions, but any attempt to enforce these illegal orders would be a violation of the Agreement. Of course, all members are encouraged to keep their expenses within reason.  But the Carrier cannot arbitrarily deny a valid expense because it does not believe you deserve to eat a steak now and then.

It is critically important that we push back when the “lunchroom bully” tries to dictate what we can and cannot eat.  Accordingly, if you are denied a valid meal expense incurred, it is important that you reach out to your local chairman immediately so that a claim can be processed.