ATTENTION SDACT MEMBERS: COME TO THE PRAYER VIGIL AND RALLY

January 26, 2008

Dear SDACT Members,

Although our campaign to convince the Diocese to respect our right to organize is only two days old, the support we have received from the community has been tremendous.  Those in the leadership of  local labor groups, particularly the AFL-CIO Coordinating Councils in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties, are solidly behind us.  They will be doing their best to get out as many of their members as possible to join us at our prayer vigil on January 30. 

Many of the parents of our students have contacted us, saying that they along with their children will also be at the rally.  The reaction of the general public, be it on talk radio or in letters to the editor, is unanimously in our corner.  How could it not be?

Throughout this struggle, if we are to sustain it, the one thing that must always be foremost in our minds is that we’re in the right, and what the Diocese is doing to us is wrong.  Once that is acknowledged, then we should need no other reason to carry forth with whatever action we need to take.

Knowing that we are right, how in good conscience as a Catholic school teacher could you not support our program?  If you are not willing to publicly bear witness to your beliefs, and protest this egregious violation of your rights, then you need to do a reality check on why you would want to continue in Catholic education.

Just as we begin each of our classes in school, our first act of what will certainly be many in the days to come, will begin, as it should, with prayer.  We will be praying that the Holy Spirit bring enlightenment to Bishop Martino.  We will pray that once enlightened, he recognizes the damage he is doing to our Church and the welfare of all working people when the example he is setting is  like that of the CEO of Wal-Mart and other union-busting businesses.  Finally, we will pray that once  so enlightened, he will act accordingly.

So, along with your colleagues and members of your families, begin making plans to get to our prayer vigil and rally.  Encourage your students’ parents to do the same. The only thing required of you on that night will be your presence.  Only in solidarity can we prevail.

 In Solidarity,

 Mike Milz, President

PS.  Continue to check our website daily for any updates.