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Scranton Diocesan School Policy #417 Guarantees the Right to Form Unions

"Catholic social teaching strongly supports the rights of lay teachers to organize and to bargain collectively. A corollary of the right of lay teachers to organize is the right which they possess to determine the agency or organization which is to represent them in the collective bargaining process. Catholic lay teachers also have the right to free elections, full negotiations, mediation, conciliation and similar services under the auspices of a neutral body."

The above quote is taken from Diocesan School Policy #417 which provides the mechanism by which lay employees can organize unions in their place of employment. In place since 1984, hundreds of lay employees have utilized this mechanism to enhance their professional status.

In brief, Policy #417 provides for the following:

1. A union may be formed at any school with the approval of a majority of the full-time employees on staff.

2. An impartial third party will oversee any organizational and election campaign.

3. No harassment, intimidation or reprisal will be taken against any employee who expresses interest in forming a union.

To date, there has never been a violation of Policy #417. Bishop Joseph Martino and a succession of Diocesan Bishops and Superintendents have seen that the rights promised to employees in this policy have been maintained.

For a complete copy of Policy #417, see the "Diocesan School Policy Manual."


The Right to Form Unions | Outline of Major Contract Items
Steps to Organizing | What's a typical contract look like?

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