To the Editor:
When four other Penn security guards and I delivered a petition to President Amy Gutmann's office asking for improved security standards, we knew we were acting well within our rights. So we never expected that AlliedBarton would retaliate against us for trying to make a better living for our families and trying to improve the level of security on campus.
Security officers at Penn repeatedly come and go and receive little training on how to do their jobs. Because our wages are so low, many of us have a hard time supporting our families and have to work second jobs. We knew we deserve better and decided to take action.
When we felt our concerns were not being heard, we hoped President Gutmann would listen to why we need better working conditions. Our petition was signed by no fewer than 200 guards who agreed.
AlliedBarton says that we were not retaliated against. Is it a coincidence, then, that we were suspended and reassigned to other posts immediately after meeting with Gutmann?
This is just the latest AlliedBarton action to bully its employees who want better treatment. And it proves again that the company is not dedicated to the well-being of its employees who are asking for their own security in their jobs and on this campus.
George Darrah
The author is an employee of AlliedBarton Security
