Catholic teacher union representatives coordinate strategy for HB 2626

First Row - L to R: Brian Klisavage (Pittsburgh), Irene Tori, Rita Schwartz (Philadelphia), Michelle Kirk (Altoona). Second Row: Kreg Mendus (Greensburg), Bill Milz (Scranton), Steve Lieb (Altoona), Mike Milz (Scranton), Mike Galante (Philadelphia) and John Gallery (Allentown)

Six of Pennsylvania's eight Roman Catholic dioceses (Allentown, Altoona, Greensburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Scranton) have teachers' unions that represent the employees in their dioceses' schools. On July 15-16, leaders from those associations gathered in Pittsburgh to coordinate strategy to effect the passage of HB 2626, which will amend the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Act (PLRA) to include the employees of religiously-affiliated schools.

The two-day workshop was highlighted by a presentation by Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, who is the prime sponsor of HB 2626. 56 other members of the House of Represenatives have signed on as cosponsors for the Bill.

Rita Schwartz, President, National Association of Catholic School Teachers, Mike Milz and Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski.

The effort to amend the PLRA grew out of the situation in the Scranton Diocese where, after 30 years of representing the Diocese's teachers, the Diocese announced that it would no longer recognize the Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers (SDACT) and instead implemented a company union, a device that would be illegal in any other workplace in America.

In June, SDACT President, Mike Milz, was fired for his vocal advocacy on behalf of the union and the right of Diocesan teachers to organize. This action too would be illegal if Catholic school teachers enjoyed the protections offered by the PLRA to every other worker in the Commonwealth.

All who attended the Pittsburgh meeting were in agreement that the actions of Diocesan officials in Scranton could be replicated in their own dioceses, and thus the bargaining rights of Catholic school teachers across the state can only be secured if HB 2626 becomes law.