MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin troopers are going to court to try to get lunch breaks and more tax money for their meals.

A union representing state troopers has filed a lawsuit trying to reverse a 2003 policy that took away their meal benefits.

Until 2003, troopers had a choice. They could work an eight-hour shift with no lunch break and get a $4 lunch reimbursement. Or they could work an eight-and-a-half hour shift with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break and receive reimbursements of up to $9 for lunch.

Patrol Superintendent David Collins changed the policy in 2003 by scheduling all troopers for eight hour shifts with no breaks. That means they were eligible only for the $4 reimbursement.

A lawyer representing the troopers said they want paid half-hour lunch breaks and higher meal reimbursements.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.