Deli Workers Have Beef With Dems

So, there's a deli inside the U.S. Capitol building. Nothing fancy, just take-out. There used to be a phone next to the cashier, but the Democrats have pulled the plug -- kinda, sorta.

Here's the deal: The deli is run by a management team that changed after Dems took back power, courtesy of the House Administration Committee. Management decided a few weeks ago that the cashiers were making too many personal calls so they took the phone out.

Sources say deli employees complained that they had no phone in case of a personal emergency. They say the word they got back was, "Buy a cellphone." Problem is, the deli's in the basement and cellphones don't work.

We're told two weeks ago, one of the employees has a son who had an asthma attack at school and school officials had no way of reaching her. She didn't find out her kid was taken to the hospital til she came home from work.

We called the management company that runs food services for the House. They told us they removed phones in all the restaurants they manage, leaving landlines in every manager's office in case of emergency. They also say there's a repeater system that makes cellphones work in the basement. And they also say, we're sure, that they will balance the budget.

Their baloney has a first name -- it's N-A-N-C-Y.

Reader Comments

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16. That sandwich looks so nasty!!!!

Posted at 12:55PM on Mar 14th 2008 by kimmi

17. As an independent, I feel completely comfortable saying that Nancy Pelosi had nothing to do with the decisions made at the deli. The management company makes those decisions. As far as safety goes, having a phone around to distract workers INCREASES the chances for accidents. You obviously have never worked in the foodservice industry. The management company provides health, dental, vision, disability (uinheard of in foodservice) and accident insurances to their employees as well as 401 (k). If someone wanted a cell phone, the management company provides large discounts through sprint and verizon.

Posted at 12:57PM on Mar 14th 2008 by sunshine

18. Okay here's where I see the problem is....Not necessarily that employees need the phone for personal business but what about all the representatives that call down their order??? Isn't that why the phone was by the cashier's place anyways...just like a pizza joint. Seems to me like the Dems didn't think this through. Also I've worked in food service back when I was in High School and if I remember correctly you're not allowed to have cell phones on you while you are working. So again how does having a cellphone correct the problem if you're not allowed to have it with you? And to the person that said the general public doesn't care about the foodservice.....I think you can tell from all the responses that we do....and honestly I would never want to work for you because you seem like a bitch.

Posted at 12:22AM on Mar 15th 2008 by Vanessa

19. The dems are a cruel, bullying, vindictive bunch of manaic's that can't stay out of another's life and business, and use your vote to wield their power and your money to swindle and harass you away from having any success.. they seperate your children from God, good works but rarely if EVER pose such mean standands, harsh sanctions and strict laws upon themselves. How do you spell socialist commie crooks? D E M O C RA T

Posted at 1:04PM on Mar 14th 2008 by Sillyme

20. See.......Dems are in FRIKKEN sane!

Posted at 9:39PM on Mar 14th 2008 by go NRA

21. Uh yeah... how many McDonald's cashiers have phones at their registers? How many Subway Cashiers have phones at their registers? How many Jason's Deli cashiers are phoning home while they SERVE customers. Good for the Dems! It's about time people in DC got to work!

Posted at 1:20PM on Mar 14th 2008 by Dang

22. 21. As an independent, I feel completely comfortable saying that Nancy Pelosi had nothing to do with the decisions made at the deli. The management company makes those decisions. As far as safety goes, having a phone around to distract workers INCREASES the chances for accidents. You obviously have never worked in the foodservice industry. The management company provides health, dental, vision, disability (uinheard of in foodservice) and accident insurances to their employees as well as 401 (k). If someone wanted a cell phone, the management company provides large discounts through sprint and verizon.

Posted at 12:57PM on Mar 14th 2008 by sunshine


Actually, I worked at and owned a restaurant with my family so I am pretty sure I would understand the food industry. Within the first week of opening, we had a kid slip and slice his finger off (even though we had slip resistant pads on the floor). im not saying that having the phone is necessary - but what i am saying is that if they took the phone away because of a small phone bill - especially if there is no cellphone service so at least a manager can get a call on cell - it is not fair. ESPECIALLY when the facilities in the capital are so luxurious anyhow with so much unnecessary money thrown into toilet seats, light fixtures, maintenance in general, etc. the company was quotes as saying they have a phone in every managers office. i doubt they even HAVE managers office in that small deli. so that is probably why the phone was near the register. so now, no phone in a managers office or near a register and no cell phone service. no phones at all. hm.

the management company may have great health plans in case of emergency, but to get an ambulance for someone you must first CALL 911. And it is not just a question of what happens in the deli, but what emergencies might happen outside of it. like that kid having asthma attack and his mother not being notified until she came home.

phones should be at every business in case of emergency. i don't care if it is at a tanning salon or emergency room.
any business that doesn't have a phone-line needs to GET ONE.

Posted at 1:21PM on Mar 14th 2008 by fathead

23. Liberals are ruining this country by taking away our personal freedoms! Vote Republican!

Posted at 1:27PM on Mar 14th 2008 by ME

24. Awwwwww! Poor widdle deli workers had their phones taken away.

Boo Frickity Hoo

I don't question that a lot of the deli workers were chatting on the phone. It's the same everywhere, a few bad apples spoil the bunch.

I also wouldn't be surprised if the deli workers who are screaming like stuck pigs take excessive breaks, work at a very slow pace, file their garish acrylic nails, pick at their weaves, and sport attitude at every turn.

I'm so sick of the entitlement mindset.

HEY! GET TO WORK! NO ONE OWES YOU ANYTHING! SHUT UP AND DO YOUR DAMN JOBS!

Posted at 1:30PM on Mar 14th 2008 by Lady Zombie

25. Well, maybe the cashiers should have thought about not talking on the phone all day. And I'd think that the first thing I'd want to know when the phone was taken out would be a number where my family could reach me in case of an emergency. But, I guess that wasn't that parent's first thought. If you're getting paid to do a job, you're not being paid to sit on the phone to talk to your friends. For the folks talking about one political party or another: All politicians (Republican or democrat) are dirtbags. Saying that one is worse than the other is just being plain immature.

Posted at 1:35PM on Mar 14th 2008 by Valerie

26. Ah yes, Democrats, party of the little people ...HA! They are the biggest hypocrites ever. They want nothing but ultimate power. They will bleed you dry.

Posted at 2:04PM on Mar 14th 2008 by scarlett

27. And we're reading about this in a celebrity "Thirty Mile Zone" Hollywood gossip web site because...?

Posted at 1:46PM on Mar 14th 2008 by Nor Cal Reader

28. "I also wouldn't be surprised if the deli workers who are screaming like stuck pigs take excessive breaks, work at a very slow pace, file their garish acrylic nails, pick at their weaves, and sport attitude at every turn.

I'm so sick of the entitlement mindset."

yeah, since all deli workers are lower-class, black women on wellfare with bad fashion sense.

think BEFORE you speak.

Posted at 1:50PM on Mar 14th 2008 by fathead

29. Well, slimjim1814, there would be no one to serve you the next time you went out to eat. All employers should try to adhere to or work to improve basic working conditions. The idea is to raise the standard of living and human rights in the U.S., not lower it because, as you put it, they are 'just' deli workers. How very condescending is that statement. You sound like a lot of fun to live with. Not.

Posted at 2:04PM on Mar 14th 2008 by Pfffft.

30. Well, money talks, and the mom with the asthma son should 'talk' to a lawyer regarding her frightening situation/experience.
Watch how quickly they put a phone back in. The workers at this cafe should all take a walk, to somewhere better.

Posted at 2:08PM on Mar 14th 2008 by Sigh.

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