# 2015-107 - Leave Travel Assistance (LTA) – Indirect Travel

Case Summary

F&R Date: 2015–06–30

The grievor travelled from her place of duty to visit her next of kin (NOK) at their home and then travelled with them to a distant vacation spot. From the vacation spot the grievor returned directly to her place of duty. The grievor then applied for Leave Travel Assistance (LTA), but was denied because she did not have receipts for the actual cost of direct travel from her NOK's location.

The grievor argued that since she had in fact visited her NOK she should receive LTA, either in the amount equal to the estimated cost for direct return travel from her place of duty to her NOK (excluding the side trip to the vacation spot), or the kilometric amount for direct return travel from her place of duty to her NOK.

The LTA was refused by the grievor's Base after consulting the Director Benefits and Compensation Administration (DCBA), the Pay Accounts Officer, and the Superintendent Clerk, all of whom found that the LTA policy, Compensation and Benefits Instruction (CBI) 209.50, did not allow for LTA to be paid in cases such as the grievor's where the member had chosen to travel by indirect travel, as there was no proof of the actual cost of direct return travel to the NOK.

The Committee agreed with the grievor that she should be paid LTA for the cost of direct return travel from her place of duty to her NOK. Recognizing the impossibility of retroactively obtaining the actual cost for that portion of her travel, the Committee recommended that the grievor be the paid LTA based on the kilometric rate as provided for in CBI 209.50.

CDS Decision Summary

CDS Decision Date: 2015–12–14

The Final Authority (FA) agreed with the Committee's findings and recommendation that the grievor be granted the LTA based on the kilometric rate as provided for in CBI 209.50. The FA also agreed with the Committee's systemic recommendation that the language of 209.50 be clarified and encouraged CMP to consider it in his current review of the LTA policy and upcoming negotiation with TB.