Diocese spokesman said to have facts wrong

The following letter to the editor of the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader appeared on May 27, 2009:

Diocese spokesman said to have facts wrong

In the May 15 letters to the editor section, Diocese of Scranton spokesman Bill Genello asks why the newspaper gives Michael Milz, the president of the Catholic teachers’ union, so much press since he hasn’t been employed by the diocese for two years.

Milz was, in fact, a teacher at Holy Redeemer High School until last June – less than one year ago. Milz is still the president of the Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers, which Bishop Joseph Martino is unsuccessfully trying to crush. As such Milz is an important voice to be heard when discussing the problems of Catholic schools in the diocese.

The statement about Milz’s employment shows either Mr. Genello is poorly informed about what is happening in the Catholic school system or he is a prevaricator.

The Scranton Diocese apparently had been telling the teachers that the diocese had no problem with the teachers union – seemingly right up to the day the diocese announced it would never recognize the union. Teachers were told, in case of layoffs, they were able to “bump” in order of seniority – right up to the day the diocese decided to get rid of Milz.

Teachers with more than 30 years experience can simply be told to pack their things and get out; teachers with only a few years experience will be kept. It would seem that no reason, nor consideration of the years serving the church, need be given.

Does anyone besides Bishop Martino think this is what teachers want, or what they deserve?