SDACT President sues Bishop Martino and others for wrongful discharge

Attorneys for SDACT President, Mike Milz, filed a wrongful discharge suit today in the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas against Bishop Joseph Martino, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton, Holy Redeemer School System and other named parties. The suit alleges that in June of 2008, Milz was fired from his position as a teacher at Holy Redeemer High School because of his union activity. Milz had been a teacher at Holy Redeemer and the former Bishop Hoban High School for 33 years. The Diocese claimed Milz was let go because of a lack of seniority.

Milz released the following statement concerning the lawsuit:

"I believe that the facts we will present in the suit will substantiate that my life-long career as a teacher was taken from me for illegal reasons that violate the clearly stated policy of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to protect its citizens’ rights to freely assemble and to organize for the purpose of collective bargaining. I was denied rights by the Diocese of Scranton that are ingrained in our state’s philosophy of government, and vindictively punished for seeking to exercise those rights.

Immediately after being fired by the Diocese, I filed a complaint alleging this violation of my rights with the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (PLRB). The PLRB refused to take jurisdiction, saying that I and all employees of religiously-affiliated schools do not fall under its purview. This loop-hole in the current legislation will soon be closed by the passage of Pennsylvania House Bill 26.

Nonetheless, the fact remains that real harm was done to me and my family by the Diocese of Scranton. In such circumstances, the laws of Pennsylvania guarantee all of its citizens a right to a remedy by due course of law. Denied other venues, this lawsuit is to provide me with that remedy."