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January 26, 2008

Diocese teacher union sets rally

Mark Guydish

The Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic School Teachers has set a "prayer vigil and rally" for Wednesday in response to the diocese's rejection of the organizations request to become the official teacher representative in collective bargaining.

The union has sought recognition as sole bargaining agent since the diocese announced the restructuring of the entire Catholic school system throughout its 11 counties, abolishing numerous small school boards in favor of four regional ones. That move effectively canceled contracts the union had with several of the smaller boards. The union asked three of the new regional boards for recognition when they were formed in October, but did not receive a definite response until Thursday's edition of The Catholic Light, the diocesan newspaper, came out.

That issue included a story detailing a new "employee relations plan" adopted by the three regional boards, and noted the three boards had also voted to deny the union's request for recognition. The union does not fall under the National Labor Relations Act and so cannot petition the National Labor Relations Board to force a secret ballot vote among employees on unionization. The union has promised to file an appeal with the Papal Nuncio, the pope's representative in the United States, which is allowable under church rules known as canon law.

Despite lacking any secular legal recourse, Union President Michael Milz has vowed to fight the diocesan decision, repeating his claim that the vast majority of teachers in the three regions want union representation. Milz said the union remains confident that it can win the right to represent teachers.

Here is the press release announcing Wednesday's rally:

 

A prayer vigil and rally to support the labor rights of Catholic school teachers, who are being denied union representation in the Diocese of Scranton, is scheduled for Wednesday, January 30, 2008.  The event will take place in front of St. Peter’s Cathedral, 300 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton, and will get underway at 5:30 PM. 

            The rally is being coordinated by the Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers who have invited all area union members, local religious and clergy of all denominations to participate.  Also invited are Catholic school parents, students and all local citizens who value the rights of working people and the importance of social justice.

            The rally will begin with a prayer vigil, led by local clergy, for the intentions of Scranton Diocesan Bishop Joseph Martino.  Teachers have asked Martino to reconsider the Diocese’s opposition to union recognition. 

 For additional information contact: 

Mike Milz, President, Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers, 570:881-5259 or 570-822-2660.

 

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