Catholic teachers union eager to meet with Scranton Diocese to discuss union issue
The following article appeared in the Union News, September 6, 2009:
The President of the union that once represented the teachers of the Scranton Diocese is hopeful now that Bishop Joseph Martino has retired, the labor organization can again represent the employees.
On August 31st, the Diocese of Scranton held a press conference to announce Bishop Martino’s retirement effective on September 1st ending his 6-year tenure during which he eliminated the union.
The Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers (SDACT) Union represented the teachers of seventeen of the fourty-two grade schools and nine of the ten high schools of the Scranton Diocese until Bishop Martino restructured the school system in 2007. The new system eliminated the small school boards and created four regional boards. SDACT previously had contracts with each Board of Pastors that represented each school. Bishop Martino implemented a “Employee Relations Program,” after he told the union they no longer represented the employees.
SDACT has not represented the workers since August 2007 when the previous contracts expired and Bishop Martino refused to negotiate for a new contract agreement.
Mike Milz, President of SDACT, told the newspaper his union is eager to meet with the Scranton Diocese and discuss the union situation with them.
Mr. Milz believes the Scranton Diocese can not expect to move forward without “fixing” the labor issue. “Organized labor has always been part of the church. If there is a real interest in fixing the situation, we are ready to sit down with them at anytime,” said Mr. Milz. He believes the labor community will not support the church unless they repair the relationship and regain trust with them and the only way that can happen is to negotiate with the SDACT.
Bishop Martino promised the union if a majority of the employees signed union authorization cards, he would recoginize the SDACT as their bargaining representative. However, Mr. Milz said Bishop Martino went back on his word and refused to discuss the issue and went ahead and busted the union.
Under current Pennsylvania labor law the union can not file Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charges against the Diocese for not negotiating with the union. However, House Bill 26 has been introduced that would amend the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Act (PLRAct) to cover religious school employees under the law.
Mr. Milz stated the union has authorization cards that were signed by the teachers showing they would like to be represented by the union. “We are willing to meet and resolve our differences,” said Mr. Milz.
The President of the union that once represented the teachers of the Scranton Diocese is hopeful now that Bishop Joseph Martino has retired, the labor organization can again represent the employees.
On August 31st, the Diocese of Scranton held a press conference to announce Bishop Martino’s retirement effective on September 1st ending his 6-year tenure during which he eliminated the union.
The Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers (SDACT) Union represented the teachers of seventeen of the fourty-two grade schools and nine of the ten high schools of the Scranton Diocese until Bishop Martino restructured the school system in 2007. The new system eliminated the small school boards and created four regional boards. SDACT previously had contracts with each Board of Pastors that represented each school. Bishop Martino implemented a “Employee Relations Program,” after he told the union they no longer represented the employees.
SDACT has not represented the workers since August 2007 when the previous contracts expired and Bishop Martino refused to negotiate for a new contract agreement.
Mike Milz, President of SDACT, told the newspaper his union is eager to meet with the Scranton Diocese and discuss the union situation with them.
Mr. Milz believes the Scranton Diocese can not expect to move forward without “fixing” the labor issue. “Organized labor has always been part of the church. If there is a real interest in fixing the situation, we are ready to sit down with them at anytime,” said Mr. Milz. He believes the labor community will not support the church unless they repair the relationship and regain trust with them and the only way that can happen is to negotiate with the SDACT.
Bishop Martino promised the union if a majority of the employees signed union authorization cards, he would recoginize the SDACT as their bargaining representative. However, Mr. Milz said Bishop Martino went back on his word and refused to discuss the issue and went ahead and busted the union.
Under current Pennsylvania labor law the union can not file Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charges against the Diocese for not negotiating with the union. However, House Bill 26 has been introduced that would amend the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Act (PLRAct) to cover religious school employees under the law.
Mr. Milz stated the union has authorization cards that were signed by the teachers showing they would like to be represented by the union. “We are willing to meet and resolve our differences,” said Mr. Milz.
posted by SDACT at
10:12 AM
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