TEACHERS LOOK TO HARRISBURG

From the Scranton Times Tribune, May 24, 2008:

Teachers look to Harrisburg

WILKES-BARRE — Legislation, not sickouts and rallies, may be the means for teachers in the Diocese of Scranton to get their union.

Michael Milz, president of the diocesan teachers union, made the announcement Friday outside Holy Redeemer High School, with 50 supporters behind him, and state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, at his side.

A proposed bill would amend the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Act to give lay teachers and employees of private, religiously affiliated schools the right to join collective bargaining units. Mr. Pashinski distributed the co-sponsorship letter for the bill Friday.

“It will give us the same rights — no more, no less — than those possessed by all Americans,” Mr. Milz said.

Those in the crowd applauded after the announcement. Students held signs with statements such as “It’s about human dignity.

”In January, the diocese announced it would not recognize the Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers as a collective bargaining unit, and instead it has implemented an employee relations program. Since then, teachers have campaigned against the decision. For the past several weeks, union officials have been researching the legislation — quietly except for daily picketing in front of the chancery on Wyoming Avenue.

When the state labor law was written in 1937, Catholic schools were not included because they didn’t have many lay people working for them. Most teachers at that time were priests and nuns.

“Things have changed dramatically,” Mr. Pashinski said.The U.S. Supreme Court and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court have both ruled that because of the absence of a clear intention to include lay teachers in both the state and federal labor acts, the teachers are not covered.

Mr. Pashinski has started collecting co-sponsors for the bill. Among those who expressed interest are state Reps. Phyllis Mundy, D-Kingston, and Robert E. Belfanti Jr., D-Mount Carmel, Mr. Pashinski said. As other representatives review the idea, he expects more interest.

After the bill has support from House members, it will be presented to the labor committee. In a best-case scenario, it could come up for a vote in June, he said.

New York and Minnesota have created similar laws, and this bill will be crafted with those in mind, Mr. Milz said.

Diocesan spokesman William Genello issued the following statement after the announcement: “The Diocese will undertake a review of this proposed legislation. The Diocese will have no comment at this time.

”Parents and teachers at Friday’s announcement said they were excited about its potential outcome and want the union recognized once again.“We had not had any problems with the union in all our years,” said John Rose, of Wilkes-Barre, who has two children who graduated from diocesan schools, and one who will soon start Holy Redeemer. “I did not see a reason why that should change.

”Plans were also revealed for a labor rally June 14 at 1 p.m. on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre. Representatives from labor rights groups and community and elected officials are scheduled to speak. The event will also include food, music, balloons, T-shirts and face painting.