Catholic teachers hit again as bishop changes pension plan
The following letter to the editor of the Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice appeared in the December 9, 2008 edition of the paper:
Catholic teachers hit again as bishop changes pension plan
Editor:
Once again the Bishop of Scranton has shown why the teachers in Catholic schools need a union. Years ago Catholic teachers had no pension plans. They worked until they could not work anymore and then lived on Social Security or with their children. With the establishment of the union, the SDACT, teachers negotiated for a pension plan, and plans were established at the various schools. These plans were picked by the teachers in each school according to what the teachers felt was best for their needs.
In November teachers were notified by the diocese that all the pension plans were ended as of December 31, 2008. If the teachers wanted a pension plan they would have to join a new plan chosen by the diocese. Like all changes since consolidation there was no discussion with or input from the teachers. The diocese picked the company to run the plan, the advisors that will deal with the teachers, and the provisions of the plan.
On Friday Nov. 28, teachers from Holy Redeemer High School and St. Nicholas Elementary School were informed by mail about a meeting after school on Dec. 2 to explain the change. James Burke, the personal director for the diocese introduced the representative of the company running the new plan and then sat in the corner of the room and laughed as teachers complained about not having input or a choice to keep the old plans. Mr. Burke is the representative of the Bishop who just over a year ago looked teachers in the eye and said, “The diocese has no problem with the teachers having a union, just give us a few month to organize the school boards.”
First teachers were told the old plans did not meet changes in IRS regulations and the new company did but after asking a few questions it came out the old companies met the regulations and several companies had called Mr. Burke about continuing the old plans but they were rejected by the diocese. It quickly became clear that this meeting was just to say what the teachers already new, “Your only choice is do what the Bishop has ordered, join the new plan or go without.”
Little by little the Bishop is trying to take away not just the union but the all the things the SDACT fought for over the last 30 years. Not just monetary things like the pension plan, the dental coverage totally stripped away last year, and a poorer medical plan with higher co-pays and deductibles, but also agreements for restrictions on class size, and input on courses to be offered. How long will it be until Catholic teachers of the Scranton Diocese will be back to where they were 30 years ago? The answer is never!
With the help of State House Bill 2626 which will be reintroduced after the new House session starts in January, the bishop will be required to give Catholic teachers the same rights as other American workers; the right to form a union and negotiate a contract that is binding and cannot be changed or ignored as the Bishop is trying to do now. The diocese has been ordered by several arbitrators to pay money due to the teachers under the old contracts but the Bishop has simply ignored these orders.
All you good Catholics out there remember to open your wallets because the Bishop’s Annual appeal is underway and the bishop will need your money for these legal fees and for the payments when the diocese loses the case.
Eugene Gowisnok
Swoyersville
Catholic teachers hit again as bishop changes pension plan
Editor:
Once again the Bishop of Scranton has shown why the teachers in Catholic schools need a union. Years ago Catholic teachers had no pension plans. They worked until they could not work anymore and then lived on Social Security or with their children. With the establishment of the union, the SDACT, teachers negotiated for a pension plan, and plans were established at the various schools. These plans were picked by the teachers in each school according to what the teachers felt was best for their needs.
In November teachers were notified by the diocese that all the pension plans were ended as of December 31, 2008. If the teachers wanted a pension plan they would have to join a new plan chosen by the diocese. Like all changes since consolidation there was no discussion with or input from the teachers. The diocese picked the company to run the plan, the advisors that will deal with the teachers, and the provisions of the plan.
On Friday Nov. 28, teachers from Holy Redeemer High School and St. Nicholas Elementary School were informed by mail about a meeting after school on Dec. 2 to explain the change. James Burke, the personal director for the diocese introduced the representative of the company running the new plan and then sat in the corner of the room and laughed as teachers complained about not having input or a choice to keep the old plans. Mr. Burke is the representative of the Bishop who just over a year ago looked teachers in the eye and said, “The diocese has no problem with the teachers having a union, just give us a few month to organize the school boards.”
First teachers were told the old plans did not meet changes in IRS regulations and the new company did but after asking a few questions it came out the old companies met the regulations and several companies had called Mr. Burke about continuing the old plans but they were rejected by the diocese. It quickly became clear that this meeting was just to say what the teachers already new, “Your only choice is do what the Bishop has ordered, join the new plan or go without.”
Little by little the Bishop is trying to take away not just the union but the all the things the SDACT fought for over the last 30 years. Not just monetary things like the pension plan, the dental coverage totally stripped away last year, and a poorer medical plan with higher co-pays and deductibles, but also agreements for restrictions on class size, and input on courses to be offered. How long will it be until Catholic teachers of the Scranton Diocese will be back to where they were 30 years ago? The answer is never!
With the help of State House Bill 2626 which will be reintroduced after the new House session starts in January, the bishop will be required to give Catholic teachers the same rights as other American workers; the right to form a union and negotiate a contract that is binding and cannot be changed or ignored as the Bishop is trying to do now. The diocese has been ordered by several arbitrators to pay money due to the teachers under the old contracts but the Bishop has simply ignored these orders.
All you good Catholics out there remember to open your wallets because the Bishop’s Annual appeal is underway and the bishop will need your money for these legal fees and for the payments when the diocese loses the case.
Eugene Gowisnok
Swoyersville
posted by SDACT at
7:06 AM
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