Opinions on the Scranton Diocese Teacher Labor Union Debacle (Wilkes-Barre: unemployed, catholic schools) - Northeastern Pennsylvania - Pennsylvania (PA) -Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Pocono area - City-Data Forum

SteelCityRising · 02-29-2008, 03:19 PM

I was just watching aghast to see that tensions continue to escalate within the Roman Catholic community here in Northeastern Pennsylvania as educators, students, and parents alike have begun to rally against what they perceive to be unfair treatment by Bishop James Martino of the Scranton Diocese. Holy Redeemer High School in Downtown Wilkes-Barre was the site of a staged student protest this morning that garnered heavy media publicity. Dozens of students, well aware that they would be subjected to disciplinary reprimands for their actions, walked out of class early this morning to march around the building, shout support for their teachers, and wave signs that were met by honks of support from passing Wilkes-Barre commuters. Parents of some of the students showed up as well to show their support for their children and their teachers.

Teachers in the Scranton Diocese have been demanding that Bishop Martino recognize their request to form a union, but as evidenced in an interview today on WNEP-TV, the bishop retorted with a very stern "people seem to have a hard time understanding that my decision is final" rebuttal to an inquiry regarding his negative outlook on a potential union formation. Similar protests and walk outs are planned at Holy Cross High School in Lackawanna County as well.

What are your opinions about this situation? Do you feel as if Bishop Martino should recognize a union in his Diocesan schools, or should he stick to his guns?

johnqpublic · 02-29-2008, 07:05 PM

Seems to me that the Bishop doesnt practice what he preaches. The church has changed drastically since I was young, it used to be about religion, now its about the holy $$$$$

Louis Lagana · 03-01-2008, 06:15 AM

The bishop's reluctance to allow a teacher's union is simple to understand.

A teacher's union would demand an increase in the embarrassingly low salaries paid to Catholic school teachers. The church NEEDS that money to settle and keep quiet the many child molestation charges they are constantly faced with, here and throughout the country.

poconosmama · 03-01-2008, 07:00 AM

Louis said it correctly. They are only looking out for their own behinds and their millions that need to paid out in molestation charges. Teaching in Catholic Schools is less money than working in many places, close to $20k a year. Disgraceful. I for one am not a teacher in favor of unions, but the jerk bishop could at least be a little more civil and open rather than saying 'my word is final' and ignoring them.

MermanMike · 03-01-2008, 07:33 AM

I don't see how it's up to him...if the teachers organize...then they are organized...i don't think it's up to the bishop...i agree that it is sick how underpaid catholic school teachers are...if anyone needs to organize to fight for better wages...it's them. As i remember...they should've freed up a lot of revenue by consolidating the majority of their schools...which I'm sure will mean a bigger burden on the teachers that are left.

I love the quote from Richard Dawkins...
"Without religion you’d have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, it takes religion."

Lehigh Valley Native · 03-01-2008, 10:23 AM

These people complaining about the low wages make me laugh. If it pays so little, why do it? Teaching in a Catholic school is supposed to be more about teaching and sharing the Church beliefs with the children, than making a lot of money. If you want to make more, go out into the public sector.
Why don't we step back and look at what a mess teachers unions have made of public schools. High starting salaries, tenure, almost free health benefits that few other workers receive, strikes. Do you really want that going on in Catholic schools?
If they let unions in, two things will happen. Tuitions will rise, and then schools will close because parents can't afford to send kids there.

Forest through the trees people.

Lehigh Valley Native · 03-01-2008, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MermanMike

I don't see how it's up to him...if the teachers organize...then they are organized...i don't think it's up to the bishop...i agree that it is sick how underpaid catholic school teachers are...if anyone needs to organize to fight for better wages...it's them. As i remember...they should've freed up a lot of revenue by consolidating the majority of their schools...which I'm sure will mean a bigger burden on the teachers that are left.

I love the quote from Richard Dawkins...
"Without religion you’d have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, it takes religion."

The teachers can organize a union, that isn't the issue. The issue is if the church will recognize it. If they don't recognize the union, then any union activities are worthless.
An example is if the teachers strike and the church doesn't recognize the union, they can fire each teacher for walking off the job and replace them. Which is probably the direction the Bishop is heading. We have a lot of unemployed/sub teachers and new college grads who would probably take the job, even at the low pay.

MermanMike · 03-01-2008, 05:10 PM

I see what you're saying but I think the reality is that he would not fire all of the teachers. The atmosphere locally is that this is one incredibly unpopular bishop for closing so many catholic schools. If he were to fire all these already underpaid teachers, I'm sure he understands it would be devastating for the community he has been charged with presiding over.

An unrelated tidbit that is often forgotten...Jesus started the first union ever in recorded history...the fishermen's union.

SteelCityRising · 03-01-2008, 05:14 PM

The teachers need someone who is visionary and courageous, like Lech Walesa, in order to demand a union.

P.S. I'm sensing a lot of Roman Catholics are becoming disenfranchised with their church. Don't lose faith in Christ altogether over this; just become Protestants like my family did to send a strong message to the bishop while still practicing your faith and devotion.

johnqpublic · 03-01-2008, 06:12 PM

The teachers need someone who is visionary and courageous, like Lech Walesa, in order to demand a union.

Don't lose faith in Christ altogether over this; just become Protestants like my family did to send a strong message to the bishop while still practicing your faith and devotion.

]

If anyone is interested , google why the Polish National Church was founded....Its roots are here in Scranton , A bit of local history !!