The Office of Catholic Education continues to meet and negotiate with the teachers' union. A session is being held today and we are scheduled to meet tomorrow, August 31, 2006, when the contract is set to expire (the ratification vote by union members is scheduled for Tuesday, September 5, 2006 at 11:00 a.m.). The Archdiocese is willing to come to the table day or night to do what is necessary to reach a fair and equitable agreement.

The teachers' union is advocating for the needs of their members while the Archdiocese must not only respect our valued teachers but also those of parents, students and the entire school system. Despite the fact that the current contract is close to expiration, we are still hopeful that an agreement will be reached.

School is scheduled to open on Wednesday, September 6, 2006. Students are expected to report. In the event of a strike, contingency plans would be announced; however, school will open the first week regardless of any action by the teachers' union.



Editor's Note: The contract now under negotiation will affect 955 high school lay teachers. In the five-county region, 21,260 students attend 20 Archdiocese of Philadelphia high schools (as of the 2005-2006 school year).

Contact
Donna Farrell
Communications Director
215-587-3747