Organized labor supporting Catholic teachers union

From the Union News:

In a show of union solidarity for the teachers employed by the Scranton Diocese, the two labor federations affiliated with the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) in the region, passed a resolution supporting the union and condemning Bishop Joseph Martino for not complying with the Church's teaching and negotiating with the union for a contract.

There are around 36 local unions affiliated with the Greater Wilkes-Barre Labor Council labor federation and there are approximately 40 local unions affiliated with the Scranton Central Labor Union labor federation. Both groups passed the resolution that states, "Bishop Martino's action have driven an unnecessary wedge into the fabric of our community and Diocese."

Bishop Martino announced the Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers (SDACT) would not be allowed to represent the teachers of the Diocese, and would implement an "Employee Relations Program," eliminating the union.

The resolution states Bishop Martino "has ignored on many occasions the pleas of his teachers, his fellow priests, parents of children in Diocesan schools and other interested members of the the community to open substantive dialogue on the issue of his denying his teachers the right to organize."

SDACT represented the teachers since 1978 when then Bishop McCormick recognized the union as their bargaining representative.