University officials are taking an active role in helping Penn security guards achieve improved working conditions, but they will not aid any of the guards' attempts to unionize.
Executive Vice President Craig Carnaroli said any University association with the unionization effort would be "inappropriate."
He added that the issue should be resolved between the guards and AlliedBarton Security Inc., the subcontractor that employs the guards.
Carnaroli said he has evaluated the complaints presented by the guards, which include low wages, lack of medical benefits and improper training, and has made recommendations to representatives of AlliedBarton at meetings this year.
The recommendations asked AlliedBarton to improve its grievance procedures, monitor its supervisors more closely and ensure that its training materials are updated, Carnaroli said.
AlliedBarton is "definitely listening," he said. "They very much value the Penn relationship and are continuing to be proactive in listening to their employees."
Carnaroli also looked into other complaints, including those of unfair treatment, but determined that they had already been addressed.
He said that, according to a survey administered by AlliedBarton in December, 90 percent of guards were satisfied with treatment by their managers and 88 percent were satisfied with AlliedBarton's current training classes.
Carnaroli added that the University pays for the guards' training, which includes 16 hours of instruction before employment and four refresher sessions each year.
Regarding the guards' complaints about pay and health-care benefits, Carnaroli said that the University compared security guards' salaries to those of guards at other universities and determined that Penn's security force is compensated fairly.
He added that the University will continue to examine the guards' health benefits and raise issues with AlliedBarton.
Penn security guard Thomas Robinson, who works the midnight to 8 a.m. shift at Hamilton College House, said that he just wants the University to continue to express interest in the guards' concerns.
"We're not asking them to march side by side with us," he said. "All we're looking for from the University is to support our efforts."
Hayling Price, a College freshman and Undergraduate Assembly representative, attended one of the meetings held by security guards who hope to unionize on Thursday. He met with a representative of the Service Employees International Union, whose help they are seeking in organizing, to further discuss the issue.
Price said that he presented the information provided to him about unionization to a UA Student Life Committee meeting held last night in hopes of eventually persuading the UA to pass a resolution supporting the guards' cause.
"I just want the students to be aware of the guards' situation," he said. "Hopefully, the support of the student body will be able to do some good."
Workers, unite! - Some security guards allege low wages, lack of medical benefits and poor training - University officials will not take a stance on the guards' unionization, but say they will will work with company to address complaints - Guards organized three meetings last week to garner support for their unionization efforts
