Diocese of Scranton
Statement on SDACT’s Work Stoppage
at St. Nicholas/St. Mary School, Wilkes-Barre 
 

The leaders of the Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers (SDACT) have called for another work stoppage, this time at St. Nicholas/St. Mary Elementary School in Wilkes-Barre. Because so many faculty members have reported they will not teach their students, the principal, Sister Mary Catherine Slattery, S.C.C., has been forced to close the school for Thursday, March 27. 

This latest abandonment of the classroom, which has been orchestrated by SDACT’s leadership, affects 431 students in grades K-8. The Diocese deeply regrets that these children are being denied their education.  It is also unfortunate that their parents are so adversely impacted by SDACT’s tactics. These parents pay tuition – which supports teacher salaries ­– to have their children in school. Now, they have the added burden of arranging care for young children who should be in class. 

This grossly unfair treatment of students and parents is the direct consequence of SDACT’s useless campaign against the Bishop and the Diocese.  This latest disruption exposes once again the vain and desperate attempts by SDACT’s leaders to maintain their positions of power and the extra financial compensation they derive from union dues.  

SDACT’s leaders claim that the welfare of their students and the preservation of Catholic education are their primary interests, not financial gain. Yet, their tactics do harm to students and the Catholic education apostolate.  These desperate tactics actually confirm the wisdom of Bishop Martino’s decision to preserve his responsibility to manage our Catholic schools. Moreover, SDACT’s use of students and parents as bargaining chips will never succeed. SDACT will not be recognized and this decision is final and will not be revoked.  

The Diocese has established an Employee Relations Program to serve as the forum for regular dialogue about wages, benefits, grievances and working conditions. This program will ensure dignity and justice for teachers and other school employees.