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More art museum guards vote for union

More security guards at the Philadelphia Museum of Art voted today to join the Philadelphia Security Officers Union.

More security guards at the Philadelphia Museum of Art voted today to join the Philadelphia Security Officers Union.

The guards, employed by Roman Sentry Security Systems in Philadelphia, voted 9-3 in favor of the union, a union official said. Roman is one of three security firms hired at the museum.

In October, 2009 the majority of the 130 guards employed by the main company, Allied Barton Security Services, voted to join the union. The two sides have yet to reach a first contract.

Three weeks ago, the union held a rally at the museum. A few days later, four security guard union activists were fired, either by Allied-Barton or Roman. The activists said they were fired in retaliation for their pro-union stance. Allied-Barton spokesman Larry Rubin said he would not comment on personnel matters. Roman refused to comment.

At a gathering Wednesday, the guards said they had contacted the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the city's Department of Licenses and Inspections to complain that many emergency phones in the museum were not working, endangering artwork, patrons and employees. Museum spokesman Norman Keyes said the so-called red phone system was being phased out. Guards can use other museum phones in an emergency.    - Jane M. Von Bergen