Catholic teachers union eager to meet with Scranton Diocese to discuss union issue

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.midatlanticlabor.com/appiesnet/wordpress/?p=1070

BY PAUL TUCKER
[e-mail]

REGION, September 6th- 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.

FULL story at link.