Catholic teachers plan their strategy (unions-uggh)

Wilkes-Barre Citizens Voice ^ | 2/25/2008 | SARAH HOFIUS HALL

[markomalley]

PITTSTON TWP. — Teachers in the Diocese of Scranton have decided on a strategy in their quest to receive union recognition.

But what they’ve decided is “not for public consumption,” union President Michael Milz said Sunday after a general membership meeting at Convention Hall.

In the first half of the meeting, which was open to media, 200 teachers sang the union rights anthem “Solidarity Forever” and heard from legal counsel and representatives from the National Association of Catholic School Teachers.

“Your cause is certainly just. Your fight is our fight,” said Rita Schwartz, president of the national association. “You cannot back down. Your strength and solidarity will bring you success.”

The second half of the meeting was closed to non-members so teachers could feel open to speak and decide on a strategy, Milz said.

Union officials have said a work stoppage would be imminent if they were not given a choice on whether they wanted to unionize. In an advertisement published in newspapers earlier this month, the union explained its position to parents and encouraged them to stop donating to their parishes.

Last month, the diocese announced the Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers would not be recognized as a collective bargaining unit, and instead the diocese is implementing an employee relations program. Employee councils include wage and benefit, health care and grievance committees, and employee representatives have already attended orientation.

Diocese of Scranton officials have said the decision is final and they are committed to their employees.

But if the union accepted the decision, the teachers would “forfeit our dignity and God-given right,” Milz said.

Along with the union’s advertisement this month, the diocese has also paid to inform people of its position. In an advertisement published several times in newspapers last week, Bishop Joseph F. Martino wrote he is not ignoring Catholic social teaching, which has been historically supportive of the union rights of workers, and instead is looking at the factors surrounding the union issue.

Martino’s letter has been “illuminating” because it shows “clear coaching” from labor-busting experts, Milz said Sunday.

Schwartz said the bishop is “trampling on the teachings” of the church.

“It’s not about justice. It’s not about dignity. It’s all about power,” she said.

And like the union anthem “Solidarity Forever,” diocesan teachers must remain together, Milz told the teachers.

“If we do this, it cannot be done by only some of us,” he said. “Every teacher has to become an activist.”

[markomalley]

This is a sorry day...especially if they're successful. Not that unionizing is inherently bad, but a teacher's union??? Next thing, they'll demand to teach ABC in the Catholic Schools. Uggh.

[markomalley]

ping for your lists.

[dangus]

This is tragic, but I believe that the catholic schools will survive. And if they do, they’ll have gotten rid of a bad seed. The teachers should take their victories and be glad, but unionization for the sake of unionization is outrageous, when unions’ national leadership is so bitterly anti-Christian.