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PHILADELPHIA -- It started near a busy intersection in the outskirts of Philadelphia, where sign holders hoping to unionize Scranton Diocese teachers were almost literally cornered by religious icons: The Palmer Theological Center across one street, The Overbrook Presbyterian Church across the other and St. Charles Borromeo Seminary behind them.

It ended a short march later at the gates of the seminary where local union president Michael Milz said that, in the fight to unionize, "we are running out of options," and that a work stoppage is growing more likely – though he added that it could be limited at first. "There are things we can do without doing a full-blown strike."

In between, supporters from Catholic teacher unions in Philadelphia and New Jersey shot salvos at Diocese of Scranton Bishop Joseph Martino, who had studied at St. Charles and worked there during his tenure as auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The seminary houses the administrative offices for the Archdiocese.

"Bishop Joseph Martino, it was here that you learned to teach as Jesus did," National union president Rita Schwartz said. "But you do not treat your teachers as Jesus would."

Schwartz called Diocese of Scranton’s recent decision to reject the union a "cancer," and promised Milz and the local teachers accompanying him that "your cause is just, your fight is our fight."

Catholic Teachers Union of New Jersey President Bill Blumenstein recounted how former Diocese of Scranton Bishop John O’Connor had allowed teachers to unionize decades ago. That was reversed when Martino eliminated the small school boards that had negotiated with the union and replaced them with four regional boards that rejected the union.

"Bishop Martino," Blumenstein said, "you are trampling on the grave of John O’Connor."

The Sunday afternoon rally to support union efforts in the Scranton Diocese was arranged by the Philadelphia-based National Association of Catholic Teachers outside St. Charles, in part because Martino is said to still spend many weekends there. Unfortunately, Milz noted, Martino was at the University of Scranton for a Mass for converts.

The rally started with a small group on the corner or City and Lancaster avenues. Toting signs, they walked along the imposing iron fence surrounding St. Charles, gathering more supporters on their way up a side street to the seminary entrance where the speeches were given.

"For 30 years our union had represented our teachers," Milz said. "Our new bishop didn’t want to deal with a union, so he gave the order to deny us recognition, and then to pour salt into the wounds, he set up a company union – something which goes against Catholic Social teaching and which would be illegal in any other workplace in America."

The "company union" remark referred to the new "Employee Relations Program" that includes employee councils made of representatives elected by co-workers. The diocese insists this will give all employees fair representation, but Milz contends it is just a way for the diocese to control any negotiations.

Milz also held up one of his favorite photos, a picture of United Mine Workers President John Mitchell with Theodore Roosevelt and Former Scranton Bishop Michael Hoban outside a Wilkes-Barre Church. Recounting a story he concedes has become his "stump speech," Milz noted that Mitchell converted to Catholicism because of the support his union efforts got from the diocese, and was buried in the cemetery of St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton.

"Tonight, I’m hoping the ghost of John Mitchell pays a visit to Bishop Martino," Milz said. "And I’m hoping it won’t be a very pleasant visit at that."

Some of the most cutting comments came after the speeches ended, when Milz said the next step is a barrage of open letters to newspapers throughout the diocese seeking parent support, and warned of a possible work stoppage.

"A union buster is a union buster, whatever collar he’s wearing," Schwartz said. "Martino is from here, and that’s why I find this so upsetting. He’s forgotten his roots."

Scranton Union Vice President Jim Lynch quipped that he almost wished Martino would fire him, and Schwartz responded: "You can’t fire slaves, you sell them."

The diocese has insisted the new program will serve teachers well. Diocesan Spokesman Bill Genello has also noted several times that, while the union had a strong presence in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties, it did not represent the majority of teachers throughout the 11-county diocese.

Milz remains convinced that the union would easily win if the diocese allowed a secret ballot vote on unionization. But unlike organizers in other businesses, the Catholic teachers cannot force a vote by appealing to the National or Pennsylvania Labor Relations Boards. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the federal labor law does not apply to Catholic teachers.

Milz had family among the rally supporters, including sons and grandchildren.

"I’m a labor lawyer," Marty Milz said afterward as he and his son Sam headed for their car. He said he had gotten into the field in part because of his father’s work in the union, but also because he grew up hearing about the importance of worker rights from church leaders. "That’s why this means so much to me," he said. "These are the people who taught me how important it is to stand up for workers."

As the last of the crowd disappeared, bells from the church across the street peeled.