SDACT Responds To Latest Diocesan Screed
Below is today’s press release posted on the Diocesan website by their public relations representative, Bill Genello. As a commentary on this release, we must say that we are again saddened that the Diocese continues to attempt to deflect blame for the consequences of its decision to ignore the rights of its teachers.
Once again, they claim that the self-interest of the SDACT's leaders is driving this dispute. Again we say, you haven't talked to us. We have made ourselves available to talk at every turn of this controversy. The SDACT has invited our parents and the public to express their concerns directly to us. We have laid bare our positions and opened up the history of our organization for anyone to see. The Diocese has not spoken to us, and again they offer a smear of our goals, entirely devoid of fact. Is it any wonder, that thousands of people in the community now support SDACT's campaign for dignity and justice.
With each baseless retort to our actions, the need of our teachers for an independent voice becomes clearer. We can assure you that each disruption of the education process flows directly from our heartbreaking desperation and disbelief at the treatment we are being shown by the Bishop's lack of dialogue. We cannot conceive of what our organization has done to deserve being denied the rights our Church champions for others. We have asked the Bishop to meet with us, to tell us the faults he finds in the 30-year history of our organization, only to be denied that insight and accused baselessly of greed. In contrast, we have shown the parents and the public our history and our resolve, and have received only offers of support.
What we find most insulting in Mr. Genello’s petulant and childish whine (a tone he has employed throughout this dispute as noted by the Scranton Times-Tribune editorial board) is the utter lack of regard for the intelligence of our teachers. To imply that hundreds of extremely educated professionals could be duped by a few “greedy” leaders into undertaking a campaign, where they are putting their own careers at risk, more than strains the imagination. He owes all of our teachers an apology.
The fact remains that our teachers believe with all of their hearts that what they are doing is the right thing, the Catholic thing. Finally, any of our officers would gladly relinquish the mantel of leadership in the union as a trade off in procuring the rights of our teachers to have a true voice in choosing how their interests are to be represented. All that our teachers have asked for, and will continue to ask for, is the opportunity to make that choice.
"The leaders of the Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers (SDACT) have called for another work stoppage, this time at St. Nicholas/St. Mary Elementary School in Wilkes-Barre. Because so many faculty members have reported they will not teach their students, the principal, Sister Mary Catherine Slattery, S.C.C., has been forced to close the school for Thursday, March 27.
This latest abandonment of the classroom, which has been orchestrated by SDACT’s leadership, affects 431 students in grades K-8. The Diocese deeply regrets that these children are being denied their education. It is also unfortunate that their parents are so adversely impacted by SDACT’s tactics. These parents pay tuition – which supports teacher salaries – to have their children in school. Now, they have the added burden of arranging care for young children who should be in class.
This grossly unfair treatment of students and parents is the direct consequence of SDACT’s useless campaign against the Bishop and the Diocese. This latest disruption exposes once again the vain and desperate attempts by SDACT’s leaders to maintain their positions of power and the extra financial compensation they derive from union dues.
SDACT’s leaders claim that the welfare of their students and the preservation of Catholic education are their primary interests, not financial gain. Yet, their tactics do harm to students and the Catholic education apostolate. These desperate tactics actually confirm the wisdom of Bishop Martino’s decision to preserve his responsibility to manage our Catholic schools. Moreover, SDACT’s use of students and parents as bargaining chips will never succeed. SDACT will not be recognized and this decision is final and will not be revoked.
The Diocese has established an Employee Relations Program to serve as the forum for regular dialogue about wages, benefits, grievances and working conditions. This program will ensure dignity and justice for teachers and other school employees."
Once again, they claim that the self-interest of the SDACT's leaders is driving this dispute. Again we say, you haven't talked to us. We have made ourselves available to talk at every turn of this controversy. The SDACT has invited our parents and the public to express their concerns directly to us. We have laid bare our positions and opened up the history of our organization for anyone to see. The Diocese has not spoken to us, and again they offer a smear of our goals, entirely devoid of fact. Is it any wonder, that thousands of people in the community now support SDACT's campaign for dignity and justice.
With each baseless retort to our actions, the need of our teachers for an independent voice becomes clearer. We can assure you that each disruption of the education process flows directly from our heartbreaking desperation and disbelief at the treatment we are being shown by the Bishop's lack of dialogue. We cannot conceive of what our organization has done to deserve being denied the rights our Church champions for others. We have asked the Bishop to meet with us, to tell us the faults he finds in the 30-year history of our organization, only to be denied that insight and accused baselessly of greed. In contrast, we have shown the parents and the public our history and our resolve, and have received only offers of support.
What we find most insulting in Mr. Genello’s petulant and childish whine (a tone he has employed throughout this dispute as noted by the Scranton Times-Tribune editorial board) is the utter lack of regard for the intelligence of our teachers. To imply that hundreds of extremely educated professionals could be duped by a few “greedy” leaders into undertaking a campaign, where they are putting their own careers at risk, more than strains the imagination. He owes all of our teachers an apology.
The fact remains that our teachers believe with all of their hearts that what they are doing is the right thing, the Catholic thing. Finally, any of our officers would gladly relinquish the mantel of leadership in the union as a trade off in procuring the rights of our teachers to have a true voice in choosing how their interests are to be represented. All that our teachers have asked for, and will continue to ask for, is the opportunity to make that choice.
Diocese of ScrantonStatement on SDACT’s Work Stoppage at St. Nicholas/St. Mary School, Wilkes-Barre
"The leaders of the Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers (SDACT) have called for another work stoppage, this time at St. Nicholas/St. Mary Elementary School in Wilkes-Barre. Because so many faculty members have reported they will not teach their students, the principal, Sister Mary Catherine Slattery, S.C.C., has been forced to close the school for Thursday, March 27.
This latest abandonment of the classroom, which has been orchestrated by SDACT’s leadership, affects 431 students in grades K-8. The Diocese deeply regrets that these children are being denied their education. It is also unfortunate that their parents are so adversely impacted by SDACT’s tactics. These parents pay tuition – which supports teacher salaries – to have their children in school. Now, they have the added burden of arranging care for young children who should be in class.
This grossly unfair treatment of students and parents is the direct consequence of SDACT’s useless campaign against the Bishop and the Diocese. This latest disruption exposes once again the vain and desperate attempts by SDACT’s leaders to maintain their positions of power and the extra financial compensation they derive from union dues.
SDACT’s leaders claim that the welfare of their students and the preservation of Catholic education are their primary interests, not financial gain. Yet, their tactics do harm to students and the Catholic education apostolate. These desperate tactics actually confirm the wisdom of Bishop Martino’s decision to preserve his responsibility to manage our Catholic schools. Moreover, SDACT’s use of students and parents as bargaining chips will never succeed. SDACT will not be recognized and this decision is final and will not be revoked.
The Diocese has established an Employee Relations Program to serve as the forum for regular dialogue about wages, benefits, grievances and working conditions. This program will ensure dignity and justice for teachers and other school employees."
posted by SDACT at
8:09 PM
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