Philly Catholic School Teachers May Strike
By Wyatt Earp | September 5, 2011
Quite an appropriate post for Labor Day.
A teachers’ strike is looming in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The archdiocese and the union representing its high school teachers will resume negotiations Monday.
An archdiocese spokeswoman says the two sides were having a “good dialogue” during Sunday’s session. But the teachers’ union president says the sides are nowhere near a settlement.
Church officials say students are expected to report to class Wednesday even if a new contract is not in place.
This may shock the hell out of you, but I wouldn’t have a problem with a Catholic school teacher’s strike. In Philly, they make crap; much less than their public school counterparts. Waitresses probably make more than they do, and even in this economy they deserve better. For the record, all the teachers Kyle and Erik have had so far have been top-notch. I certainly hope they can reach a deal, but if they decide to strike, I really can’t crucify them. Pun intended.
Topics: Philly | 16 Comments »
September 5th, 2011 at 5:50 pm
The pun was a good one. I couldn’t send my kids to Catholic school. I was so scarred, physically and mentally, by the experience. I hear it has changed since they now longer allow nuns the freedom to water board and torture young 3rd grade boys. But maybe it was just me.
September 5th, 2011 at 7:51 pm
Um… what happened to their representation by the union???
September 5th, 2011 at 10:21 pm
I remember there was a strike by our teachers way back before electricity when I went to Catholic HS
We still went to class and didn’t really notice too much of a difference, but then we had lots of nuns and priests teaching then. Nowadays it’s nearly all lay teachers so I guess they’ll have to bring in subs?
Anyway they don’t make much, no. That is true. I hope they can get this resolved without too much bad feelings but most of all, that the schools stay viable.
I worry about our school all the time! It’s only 10 years old. I hope it’s full enough because I love it so! There is another new gradeschool out here that is HURTING. People talk about the empty city Catholic schools but . . . well, I probably should shut up. There are some outer suburban elementaries that are not exactly full. But ours is nice and full, even with St. Agnes (full) and SS Philip and James right here.
September 5th, 2011 at 11:38 pm
Orchid, you’re at Peter & Paul?
BTW, Wyatt, the strike would only be at the high schools. The elementary schools aren’t union shops — because they’re run by the parish (or, in the case of the one our parish is in, a group of parishes) and somehow are seen as independent entities, unlike the high schools (which do not include St. Joe Prep, LaSalle, Malvern Prep, Villa Maria, and probably a few of the other all-girls academies).
September 5th, 2011 at 11:40 pm
People wonder why I have no desire to ever teach again. Exhibit A!
September 6th, 2011 at 9:15 am
yes Bob we are!
September 6th, 2011 at 10:11 am
and bob is knowledgeable – this would include BSHS, O’Hara, and the other normal Catholic High Schools – but not the private high schools like Villa, the Prep, et al
It is a shame that it’s gotten to this point. Hopefully will be over quickly. It’s unfortunately a black eye for the archdiocese that will just play into the Inky’s hands (they hate the archdiocese so incredibly much)
September 6th, 2011 at 1:51 pm
Danny – Yeah, it’s much better now. At least my sons’ school is.
Old NFO – Apparently, they decided to strike today (Tuesday). Wow.
Orchid – BVM is a huge parish, and we have a lot of members at Sunday Mass. Thankfully, enrollment is up again this year at the school. Like you, I love my sons’ school. It’s top-notch. The high school closings hurt me. Even personally, because I lost my lacrosse coaching job when North Catholic was closed.
Bob – Didn’t know that. And the high school teachers decided to strike today.
Dr. Evil – You teach us new things all the time here.
Orchid – They do indeed. Ironically, they fawn over the filing public schools. Go figure.
September 6th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Hello tuition increase!
September 6th, 2011 at 1:59 pm
oops, hit return too fast. And with the current tuition of $5,350 (@ Ryan), say hello to 6 grand real soon.
September 6th, 2011 at 2:03 pm
Randal – Other option is Washington, Lincoln, or Northeast. I’ll pass.
September 6th, 2011 at 2:24 pm
What about Swenson?
September 6th, 2011 at 5:54 pm
I completely agree with their strike. The AD is trying to get us to stay in school longer,
September 6th, 2011 at 5:56 pm
and they want us to take finals created by them. I don’t learn the same things other schools teach. We may be farther ahead or behind. The teachers should make up the exams as they have done before, not the AD. Also, the want to cut our already small budget for gym, computers, and such. The AD needs to back off and let the teachers do their job.
September 6th, 2011 at 10:33 pm
Randal – Home school, baby! The missus won’t mind.
CSS – I agree with it, too. And I realize the AD is hurting, but so is everyone. If you cut salaries and technology, you cut the AD’s own throat. Because students like you will go elsewhere.
September 7th, 2011 at 9:46 am
I am a retired Catholic H.S. teacher. I worked at CDHS (Dougherty) for 35 years. During times of constriction , which have been most of the years since 1970, there has been a system in place which recognized tenure and seniority. The diocese is now seeking to end that fair system. The union must not allow them to do so. I have every confidence in the leadership of Rita Schwartz, the president of the union . She has been fighting the good fight against the reactionary diocesan forces for 30 or 40 years. GO RITA!