Museum guards claim mistreatment

Guards at the Philadelphia Museum of Art say they have been mistreated ever since they unionized.
Fabricio Rodriguez is lead coordinator for the Philadelphia Security Officers Union. He contends Allied Barton, which has the contract to provide security at the museum, is singling out his members for retribution. The members voted to unionize in October.

Guards at the Philadelphia Museum of Art say they have been mistreated ever since they unionized.

The allegations are part of federal lawsuit that has been filed. WHYY’s Tom MacDonald has more. [audio:100305TMGUARD.mp3]

Fabricio Rodriguez is lead coordinator for the Philadelphia Security Officers Union.  He contends Allied Barton, which has the contract to provide security at the museum, is singling out his members for retribution. The members voted to unionize in October.

Rodriguez: Within the last three weeks, we’ve had three union supporters, two of them shop stewards fired. People who have served ten years, six years with perfect work records are suddenly are getting terminated.  We have a couple of union activists being moved around on the site.  Given harder jobs, less comfortable jobs.

Another union supporter has been suspended.  Rodriguez says they have filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, but it could take two years for a decision in the case.  Officials at the Art Museum referred the matter to Allied Barton which has the contract, but officials there did not return calls and e-mails seeking comment.