The Diocese of Scranton attacked accusations made by teachers union organizers in a response distributed Friday to parents of students and to parishes for publication in church bulletins.Among accusations the diocese responded to are the interpretation of the church’s teachings, wages paid to teachers and the selection of representatives for the newly-instituted employee councils.
For the past several weeks, the union has “issued many statements with much misinformation and numerous false accusations” about Bishop Joseph F. Martino’s decision to implement the employee relations program, the release stated.
After the union was forwarded the release by many priests Friday, officials said the diocese “cherry-picked” accusations and misinterpreted figures and statements.
“I don’t know how they think this in any way strengthens their position,” union President Michael Milz said.
In January, the diocese announced that the Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers would not be recognized as a collective bargaining unit, and an employee relations program has been implemented.
On Sunday, a large number of people were expected to attend a meeting about the issue at Genetti’s Best Western in Wilkes-Barre from 2 to 4 p.m. The meeting was sponsored by concerned parents.
“It is expected that the leadership of SDACT will continue this misinformation campaign at Sunday’s meeting and beyond,” the release stated.
Union accusations and the diocese’s responses in the release include:
* Teachers have said the decision is against Catholic teachings. Often mentioned is the 1891 encyclical of Pope Leo XIII entitled Rerum Novarum, but the diocese said it shows no objection to programs such as the employee relations program.
Milz said Friday the union has also cited many other church teachings that are recent and support the union.
* Union officials have said the only opportunity for justice is through recognition of the union. The diocese’s response states that not every diocese has a teachers union.
“While unions are appropriate in some situations, they are not the only means to achieve justice for workers,” according to the response.
If employers are denying workers the right to unionize, then they are also denying justice and dignity to their workers, Milz posted on the union’s Web site Friday night.
* While wages are not the primary concern, union officials want to ensure teachers are paid a “living wage.” According to the diocese, the average salary for the 67 full-time teachers at Holy Redeemer High School in Wilkes-Barre is $49,100, and salaries range from $23,400 to $61,465.
Milz said the highest paid teachers have been employed by the diocese for 37 years or more and have a master’s or doctorate degree, and are still paid much less than public school teachers.
* Consultants and labor experts for the union have stated that the diocese appears to have hired a “union busting” firm or used anti-union Web sites. The diocese has not, and has used a Wilkes-Barre law firm specializing in labor relations, according to the release.
* The union has claimed that representatives for the employee program were coerced into participating, but the diocese maintains the representatives were chosen by their peers.
* In a letter published in area newspapers, Martino stated union leaders “have reasons based on self-interest for wanting to retain their role in some of our schools.” The leaders disagreed.
In the diocesan response, the salaries paid to union leaders by union teachers was disclosed. As president of the union, Milz makes $12,872, and as executive vice president of National Association of Catholic School Teachers, makes $25,660, according to the diocese. Union Vice President James Lynch makes $5,000.
The diocese also states that membership in the union prior to restructuring diocesan schools went from 282 in 2001 to 219 in 2007. There are 713 lay teachers employed in the Diocese of Scranton.
On Friday, Milz said he will retire next year, and Lynch, this year.
“We’re working for the future. Without the union, Catholic education will suffer,” Milz said, adding that his union salary is for providing a service to the teachers and that he is not overpaid.
A decline in membership was due to several schools closing, and if the diocese believes so few teachers want a union, a vote should be taken, Milz said.
Before the union’s rejection, 80 percent of diocesan teachers signed union cards.
“If they don’t think we represent the majority, let the election tell the tale,” Milz said.
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