Editorial | Taking responsibility

AlliedBarton's treatment of its security guards has always proved a thorny problem for Penn.

For many years, the University passed the buck on the whole issue, arguing that any involvement with the guards' unionization efforts would be inappropriate.

But since 2005 - when AlliedBarton suspended and transferred five guards because they petitioned President Gutmann for more benefits -- Penn officials have slowly become more involved in the situation. Last year, the University even offered to pay for a plan that would offer one sick day per year to the guards.

These efforts came to fruition last month when the Division of Public Safety announced that the company would substantially increase wages for its roving security guards, as well as offer three paid days of sick leave to its employees.

Under pressure from its own student body, Temple University worked with AlliedBarton and recently announced similar measures.

It's encouraging that area universities are finally using their power to convince AlliedBarton to offer better benefits.

And given that Temple and Penn are some of AlliedBarton's larger clients, it's not surprising that their efforts have yielded such positive results.

Let's hope that the University continues with its more proactive approach to AlliedBarton's treatment of its workers. The happiness and safety of this campus - and its security guards - depend on it.

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