House of Representatives cafeteria workers denounce working conditions
by Rafael Bernal - 04/11/22 11:00 AM ET
House of Representatives cafeteria workers say their working conditions have become untenable, leading to unsanitary conditions in the kitchens that serve Congress.
For months, workers in the House of Representatives’ multiple cafeterias have been denouncing the working conditions imposed by Sodexo, the cafeteria services contractor, but their pleas have fallen mostly on deaf ears.
The Hill spoke to four workers from three different Sodexo-operated cafeterias in the Capitol complex, all of whom said the company’s labor practices forced workers to forgo full sanitization of kitchens.
“There have been cutbacks. There were four people cleaning in there, now there’s only one person,” said a worker who asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals.
“There are trash cans with maggots, there are rats, it’s dirty, and we have videos and photos,” added the worker.
The workers said conditions for longtime cafeteria workers have deteriorated since Sodexo took over operations in 2015, but things worsened during the pandemic.
The workers reached out to Sodexo, House management and their union, Unite Here! Local 23, but to no avail — one shop steward said he hadn’t seen a union representative in two years.
Sodexo and Unite Here! Local 23 did not respond to requests for comment on this story.
more
https://thehill.com/news/house/3263932-house-of-representatives-cafeteria-workers-denounce-working-conditions/
