Progress Continues on Employee Relations Program
 

Two meetings were held recently for members of the Employee Councils that represent Catholic school employees in the discussion with the Diocese about their wages, benefits, grievances and working conditions.

On April 3 there was an Employee Council meeting for the St. John Neumann System, and on April 4 another combined meeting of the Employee Councils for the Holy Cross and Holy Redeemer Systems was held.

At the St. John Neumann meeting, James Burke, Diocesan human resources director, addressed a number of questions that arose at a meeting that he and Joseph Casciano, Diocesan Secretary for Catholic Education and Superintendent of Schools, had with all school employees there in March.

“Also, we reviewed the Employee Relations Program so everyone would understand the goals and objectives as well as the important role of the employee representatives,” Mr. Burke said. “The representatives were asked to develop a list of their priorities that will be discussed at the next meeting, which has been tentatively scheduled for early May.”

The meeting for the Holy Cross and Holy Redeemer Systems was the third for those groups. At the previous meeting, the Employee Councils for both systems were asked to develop proposals on the issues that are priorities for the employees.

“Both Employee Councils presented their proposals, and there was a lot of good dialogue,” Mr. Burke said. “The proposals are currently being reviewed and we are looking to schedule another meeting with them before the end of April.”

As with the previous meetings, most of the schools in the systems were represented.

Mr. Burke added that he is planning to meet with administrators as part of the principals’ meeting on April 23.

The Employee Councils are components of the Employee Relations Program that covers teachers as well as support staff such as aides, administrators, office staff, cafeteria staff and maintenance personnel. The program also involves Wage and Benefit Committees, Health Care Sub-Committees and Grievance Committees for each of the four regional school systems that were established last year in the restructuring of Diocesan Catholic schools.

This program is the format for regular dialogue between the Diocese and school employees. Its implementation is part of the final decision that the Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers (SDACT) will not be recognized as a bargaining agent for teachers.

SDACT’s leaders have continued to oppose the program, and they announced that they would conduct picketing daily at the Chancery building beginning April 14.

The Diocese issued a statement emphasizing that the decision regarding recognition of SDACT is final and will not be revoked.

“The Diocese is committed to the fair treatment of its teachers and all Catholic school employees through the Employee Relations Program, and the implementation of this program is proceeding,” the statement said. “SDACT’s continued opposition to the program is pointless and will not change the decision.”

In addition, the Diocese responded to SDACT’s accusation that teachers in some schools have been intimidated by administrators, presumably to discourage support for the union.

A letter was sent to all teachers, asking them to inform the Office of Catholic Schools about any such incidents so that the Diocese could “correct immediately any conduct in our schools that might be characterized as intimidating or threatening.”

According to Mr. Casciano, one report of possible intimidation has been received. That alleged incident, which did not involve a school administrator, is being investigated.