The Initiative Provides Benefits of
Unionization to an Estimated 700 Aides; Recognizes Their
Contribution to NY Catholic School System's Academic
Excellence
NEW
YORK, July 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a
monumental move, the Federation of Catholic Teachers (FCT),
the labor union representing faculty of the 100 plus Catholic
schools within the Archdiocese of New
York (ADNY), announces its expansion to include teachers'
aides and teachers' assistants in its Collective Bargaining Unit,
with cooperation from the ADNY.
Effective immediately, the Federation of Catholic Teachers–which
represents all teachers, librarians, and guidance counselors within
the 10 counties of the Archdiocese of New
York (Manhattan, The
Bronx, Rockland, Westchester, Staten
Island, Ulster,
Dutchess, Putnam, Sullivan, and Orange)--will extend the benefits of
unionization to an estimated 700 aides and assistants, thereby
increasing the size of the collective bargaining unit by about
30%--and recognizing the critical role aides and assistants
play.
Historically underappreciated at a national level, their
contribution to the classroom has helped to build the high-quality
academic excellence and welcoming community of NY Catholic
schools:
- Test results in NY Catholic Schools lead most schools in
New York state.* By eighth grade,
students consistently outscore public schools in math by 13 points
and in reading by 20 points.**
- 99 percent of seniors graduate
- 99 percent of graduates go on to enroll in post-secondary
education
"We're thrilled to proceed, for the first time in the NY
Catholic School System's almost 200-year history, in recognizing
this incredibly vital group of educators alongside other valued
faculty, with special thanks to the cooperation and consent of the
ADNY," shares Teresa Clarke, Vice
President of the FCT, adding that while terms of the Collective
Bargaining Agreement have yet to be finalized, the aides are
now in a position to get job security, a grievance procedure,
benefits and a wage commensurate with the responsibility they bear
toward the children under their care.
This first addition since 1968 to the categories of unionized
employees under the FCT's certification could not have been
accomplished without the cooperation of FCT's President,
Leanne Cole, the Archdiocese of
New York, the Union's former
President, Joanne Perrotta, FCT's
General Counsel, William J. Russo,
and FCT's Secretary and Treasurer, Lily
Liang.
*Source: Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of New York, 2023 test scores
**Source: U.S. Department of Education
About the Federation of Catholic Teachers
The Federation of Catholic Teachers (FCT) is the collective
bargaining representative for the lay faculty in 121 elementary
schools and 14 high schools in the Archdiocese of New York. FCT is affiliated with the Office
and Professional Employees International Union, Local 153,
AFL-CIO.
Media Contact:
Daria
Richman
646-527-2263
380752@email4pr.com
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SOURCE Federation of Catholic Teachers