Pizza Hut fires driver who defended himself

[nyffman]

I got this from the NRA and am posting this for anyone who isn't a member or just missed it. I sent an email to Pizza Hut and I think they need to receive more.

Friday, April 04, 2008

“The incident wasn’t something quick and simple. ... It was a long ordeal…my life was, without a doubt, in danger.”

On the night of March 27, 2008, Pizza Hut deliveryman James Spiers of Des Moines, Iowa was delivering pizzas--just as he had many times before over the past 10 years. He walked into an apartment complex thinking he was making another routine delivery, but found himself in a battle for his life: he had been set up by a “customer” who had lured him into the complex by pretending to order the pizza over the phone, but who had an armed accomplice waiting in ambush.

Spiers soon found himself trapped in a hallway with a gun to his head, his assailant demanding money. “Without a doubt,” he said, “my life was in extreme danger.”

The thug (who, not surprisingly, has a long list of prior arrests) thought he had the upper hand. Fortunately, Mr. Spiers has a valid concealed carry permit, and was carrying a pistol for personal protection at the time of the attack. He struggled with his attacker and managed to draw his own firearm. He shot the assailant, who fled the scene but was later arrested after he sought medical treatment.

Unfortunately, that’s not the end of the story. As a result of his actions, Mr. Spiers, a single father trying to make an honest living, was suspended from his job by his employer, Pizza Hut. That’s right. A man who, as a result of doing his job, was forced into a life-threatening situation, defended himself, and whose actions helped take a career criminal off the street, was deprived of his livelihood. Pizza Hut suspended James Spiers for defending his life.

Vonnie Walbert, vice president of human resources at Pizza Hut, said, “We have a policy against carrying weapons. We prohibit employees from carrying guns because we believe that that is the safest for everybody.”

“Safest for everybody?” This inane policy certainly makes things safer for criminals, like the one who attacked Spiers. But it does nothing to aid the safety of Pizza Hut’s employees. Every night, hardworking deliverymen and women must do their job in potentially dangerous areas. In fact, their jobs are statistically among the most dangerous in the nation. Yet Pizza Hut would deprive them of self-protection.

Thankfully, people are taking notice. Spiers has said that he has been “overwhelmed by support from people who cheered what happened,” including Iowa state senator Brad Zaun (R-32), who noted, “If I was in a situation to protect my family, protect myself, to continue being a father, I would’ve done the same thing. What I want everybody to know…is that there [are] people out there supporting this man and his right to defend himself. I’m going to be watching Pizza Hut.”

To voice your outrage over Pizza Hut’s disciplinary decision, please contact the Corporate Offices by phone at (800) 948-8488, or by e-mail at this webpage: http://www.pizzahut.com/contactus/Conta ... px?l1=2024.

This corporate policy is outrageous.

[EAJuggalo]

Every pizza chain of which I am aware has the exact same policy. It's another of those decisions, what is more important, you're job or your life.

[DaveA]

From the NRA ILA - http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Feder ... px?id=3777
Make your opinion heard with your dollars and tell them why you are doing so.

Text of article:

Outrage Of The Week: "Safest for everybody?" Pizza Hut punishes employee for defending himself

Friday, April 04, 2008


“The incident wasn’t something quick and simple. ... It was a long ordeal…my life was, without a doubt, in danger.”

On the night of March 27, 2008, Pizza Hut deliveryman James Spiers of Des Moines, Iowa was delivering pizzas--just as he had many times before over the past 10 years. He walked into an apartment complex thinking he was making another routine delivery, but found himself in a battle for his life: he had been set up by a “customer” who had lured him into the complex by pretending to order the pizza over the phone, but who had an armed accomplice waiting in ambush.

Spiers soon found himself trapped in a hallway with a gun to his head, his assailant demanding money. “Without a doubt,” he said, “my life was in extreme danger.”

The thug (who, not surprisingly, has a long list of prior arrests) thought he had the upper hand. Fortunately, Mr. Spiers has a valid concealed carry permit, and was carrying a pistol for personal protection at the time of the attack. He struggled with his attacker and managed to draw his own firearm. He shot the assailant, who fled the scene but was later arrested after he sought medical treatment.

Unfortunately, that’s not the end of the story. As a result of his actions, Mr. Spiers, a single father trying to make an honest living, was suspended from his job by his employer, Pizza Hut. That’s right. A man who, as a result of doing his job, was forced into a life-threatening situation, defended himself, and whose actions helped take a career criminal off the street, was deprived of his livelihood. Pizza Hut suspended James Spiers for defending his life.

Vonnie Walbert, vice president of human resources at Pizza Hut, said, “We have a policy against carrying weapons. We prohibit employees from carrying guns because we believe that that is the safest for everybody.”

“Safest for everybody?” This inane policy certainly makes things safer for criminals, like the one who attacked Spiers. But it does nothing to aid the safety of Pizza Hut’s employees. Every night, hardworking deliverymen and women must do their job in potentially dangerous areas. In fact, their jobs are statistically among the most dangerous in the nation. Yet Pizza Hut would deprive them of self-protection.

Thankfully, people are taking notice. Spiers has said that he has been “overwhelmed by support from people who cheered what happened,” including Iowa state senator Brad Zaun (R-32), who noted, “If I was in a situation to protect my family, protect myself, to continue being a father, I would’ve done the same thing. What I want everybody to know…is that there [are] people out there supporting this man and his right to defend himself. I’m going to be watching Pizza Hut.”

To voice your outrage over Pizza Hut’s disciplinary decision, please contact the Corporate Offices by phone at (800) 948-8488, or by e-mail at this webpage: http://www.pizzahut.com/contactus/Conta ... px?l1=2024.
This corporate policy is outrageous.

[nyffman]

Duplicate of: viewtopic.php?f=37&t=3028

Maybe I should have put it here under in the news. I put it under strategy because there is an opportunity to contact Pizza Hut and express disapproval with the hope that they will realize there are other valid concerns and may figure out a way to change the policy.

[JohninMinnesota]

My "comments" to Policy department:

Your anti-gun policy has made me decide to stop patronizing your company. I will also tell everyone I know to stop buying your products as well. Good luck.

[Aceq2jot]

At the end of the day it is the person taking the Job to decide if they want to work there after learning company policy. No one made the driver work there acording to the article. Most companies have the same policy all over the country.

Prehaps it would be a greater cause to go after the companies that provide armoured cars to banks etc as they don't provide bullet proof vest's to their employe's But it is an option for the employee to not work there when he learns that they dont supply a vest.

Company policeys are the same every where.

If you break the rules you get fired

I feel sorry for the guy loosing his job, but hell if i walk into a acount that is not an armed one wearing my gun i will get fired as it is against the rules. And there are reasons the rules are in place

They guy got lucky so far as he was just Suspended and Not Terminated so he still may have a job to go back too

[hammAR]

They guy got lucky so far as he was just Suspended and Not Terminated so he still may have a job to go back too

Don't you have any openings for an armed pizza delivery guy.................OH, I see it should be armed doughnut delivery guy....sorry.......

[mattxd]

My "comments" to Policy department:

Your anti-gun policy has made me decide to stop patronizing your company. I will also tell everyone I know to stop buying your products as well. Good luck.

If it wasn't for that addictive Mountain Dew I would write off all of PepsiCo (KFC, Taco Bell, Quaker Oats, Gatorade, Frito-Lay, SoBe, and Tropicana) I hope some business owner in his town will step up an hire this guy, if I was still in a position to hire I would.

[Aceq2jot]

They guy got lucky so far as he was just Suspended and Not Terminated so he still may have a job to go back too

Don't you have any openings for an armed pizza delivery guy.................OH, I see it should be armed doughnut delivery guy....sorry.......

Of course Doughnuts very special job and you have to carry as it is a special package

[hammAR]

Wouldn't want any bangers jacking your dognuts.............

[lenny7]

If it wasn't for that addictive Mountain Dew I would write off all of PepsiCo (KFC, Taco Bell, Quaker Oats, Gatorade, Frito-Lay, SoBe, and Tropicana) I hope some business owner in his town will step up an hire this guy, if I was still in a position to hire I would.

PepsiCo doesn't own PH anymore. They spun it off a few years ago and now the parent company is Yum Brands. They own PH, Taco Johns, KFC, A&W and Long John Silvers.

I wrote to Yum brands too.

[GregM]

This guy probably decided that a disciplinary action was better than a bullet in the head.

[Aceq2jot]

This guy probably decided that a disciplinary action was better than a bullet in the head.

Yep and it sounds like he was lucky enough to keep his job. But i am sure when it gets in court he wont have the legal backing of his employer.

[aviator]

He was suspended? Not fired? For how long?

[Aceq2jot]

Friday, April 04, 2008
Unfortunately, that’s not the end of the story. As a result of his actions, Mr. Spiers, a single father trying to make an honest living, was suspended from his job by his employer, Pizza Hut. That’s right. A man who, as a result of doing his job, was forced into a life-threatening situation, defended himself, and whose actions helped take a career criminal off the street, was deprived of his livelihood. Pizza Hut suspended James Spiers for defending his life.

Not sure how long he was suspended but i am pretty sure they are aware of the backlash they would recieve for firing him. I am sure this will probably go on his permanent record, in that little file that is the vailt the fbi has next to his finger prints.