Dr. Richard McCarron, Secretary for Catholic Education, contacted the President of the Association of Catholic Teachers directly after the union team had walked out of negotiations and returned to the union office at 8:00 p.m. Dr. McCarron appealed to the union leadership to return to the bargaining table for the good of parents, students and teachers in order to work toward a fair agreement that would be mutually acceptable. The union agreed and the two sides resumed negotiating a short time ago.

We are pleased that the union has returned to the table. There is no reason to stop talking at this stage. The Archdiocese has said that we are committed to negotiating as necessary and that remains true.

The union has scheduled a ratification vote for Tuesday, September 5, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. School for the 20 high schools begins 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 Archdiocesan high schools (as of the 2005-2006 school year). Please note that Archdiocesan elementary and special education school teachers are not members of the secondary school teachers' union. The first day of school is Wednesday, September 6, 2006.

Contact
Donna Farrell
Director of Communications
215-587-3747