Redeemer students plan rally for teachers
From the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, April 29, 2008:
Redeemer students plan rally for teachers
WILKES-BARRE – Holy Redeemer High School students are organizing an after-school rally Wednesday in support of efforts to unionize teachers.
Seniors Kevin Hourigan and Carl Frank said the plan is to have those interested assemble outside the school after dismissal at 2:30 p.m. and walk to Public Square, where a brief rally will be held. Students then will return to the school and disband. Frank said the idea for the rally developed after numerous students asked if they could do more to show support for teachers.
Nearly 300 students walked out of Holy Redeemer immediately after the morning bell rang on Feb. 29 as a show of support for unionization.
The administration had warned a walkout during school hours would result in disciplinary action and followed through with 2-1/2 hours of Saturday detention served March 8. Teachers pushing for a union thanked the students for their support but urged them not to hold similar rallies during school hours.
Frank said he and another student told Principal James Redington of the plans for Wednesday’s rally, and that he voiced concern about their safety but did not approve or disapprove of the idea.
Frank also said the group submitted an application to the city for a permit for the rally and was told there would be no problem. The permit asked for an estimate of the number of participants, but Frank said “it could be anywhere from about 50 to 300. I have no idea how many we’re going to get. It might even be more.
“One thing we agreed is that anyone who wants to support the teachers’ right to unionize is welcome to come. It’s a student-organized rally, but we’re inviting anyone.”
Teachers at Holy Redeemer and other area schools had been represented by the Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers until the diocese restructured the school system last year, eliminating the small parish and local school boards the union had negotiated with. The diocese formed four regional boards, and in January three of those rejected requests from SDACT to represent teachers under the new system.
The union has staged rallies, informational pickets, public meetings and sick outs at several schools in an effort to be recognized, but Bishop Joseph Martino has repeatedly issued a statement insisting the decision is “final and irrevocable.” The diocese is implementing an “Employee Relations Program” it promises will provide fair representation to all school employees.
Redeemer students plan rally for teachers
WILKES-BARRE – Holy Redeemer High School students are organizing an after-school rally Wednesday in support of efforts to unionize teachers.
Seniors Kevin Hourigan and Carl Frank said the plan is to have those interested assemble outside the school after dismissal at 2:30 p.m. and walk to Public Square, where a brief rally will be held. Students then will return to the school and disband. Frank said the idea for the rally developed after numerous students asked if they could do more to show support for teachers.
Nearly 300 students walked out of Holy Redeemer immediately after the morning bell rang on Feb. 29 as a show of support for unionization.
The administration had warned a walkout during school hours would result in disciplinary action and followed through with 2-1/2 hours of Saturday detention served March 8. Teachers pushing for a union thanked the students for their support but urged them not to hold similar rallies during school hours.
Frank said he and another student told Principal James Redington of the plans for Wednesday’s rally, and that he voiced concern about their safety but did not approve or disapprove of the idea.
Frank also said the group submitted an application to the city for a permit for the rally and was told there would be no problem. The permit asked for an estimate of the number of participants, but Frank said “it could be anywhere from about 50 to 300. I have no idea how many we’re going to get. It might even be more.
“One thing we agreed is that anyone who wants to support the teachers’ right to unionize is welcome to come. It’s a student-organized rally, but we’re inviting anyone.”
Teachers at Holy Redeemer and other area schools had been represented by the Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers until the diocese restructured the school system last year, eliminating the small parish and local school boards the union had negotiated with. The diocese formed four regional boards, and in January three of those rejected requests from SDACT to represent teachers under the new system.
The union has staged rallies, informational pickets, public meetings and sick outs at several schools in an effort to be recognized, but Bishop Joseph Martino has repeatedly issued a statement insisting the decision is “final and irrevocable.” The diocese is implementing an “Employee Relations Program” it promises will provide fair representation to all school employees.
posted by SDACT at
12:01 PM
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