911 Dispatchers In San Francisco Fight For 'Junk Food' Loophole
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- While San Francisco is talking about banning sugary treats in vending machines on city property, one group city workers fought back and got a special exemption.
Supervisor Mark Ferrill's new plan started very close to home.
"It has been a thing to visit Daddy at City Hall and go immediately to the M&M machine in our basement and that becomes part of the attraction," said Ferrill.
So he introduced legislation that will take away that perk, not only from his kids, but from city employees too.
"What I did is introduce legislation that would require the vending machines on city property essentially to get rid of the snack food and junk food," explained Ferrill.
In the 150 vending machines in all city buildings, there would be limits on the amount of fat, sugar, and sodium allowed in the food sold. No candy bars, no salty potato chips and no soft drinks. Just healthy snacks to keep city workers healthy.
"We as a city want to lead by example; provide healthy choices," said Ferrill.
Other officials and city workers aren't so enthusiastic about the concept.
"I think we should have some choice in terms of what's being offered," said Leo Gastieger of the San Francisco Department of Elections.
One group of city workers in particular seemed unhappy about the idea.
911 operators were so upset about the fact they might not have energy drinks and junk food around that they demanded they be exempt. And the city agreed.
But the question that lingers is…why?
"I wasn't part of those discussions," said Ferrill.
KPIX 5 couldn't find anyone who would own up to agreeing to the exemption. Neither the 911 operators nor their union returned calls.
KPIX 5 reporter Mike Sugerman says he is big fan of 911 operators. 15 years ago, dispatchers helped save his life after his aorta split open. He wondered if they need junk food to stay alert on the job, or if the San Francisco should worry about their health like all other city employees.
He posted the question on Facebook and got some viewer responses.
"The Law, if passed, should be the same for everyone," wrote Kevin Cullin.
Lynn Linstrom asked, "Can we just let people make their own decisions?"
Rob Fisher asked a more pointed question: "Is this a joke?"
The answer? It is not a joke. The proposal is currently before the San Francisco Board of Supervisors who will be making a decision in the coming weeks.
Sugerman asks any 911 dispatchers willing to talk to get in touch with him to solve this legislative mystery.
