One N.Y. teachers union says it will suspend strike while pope visits

Published: 2008-04-09

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- One group of teachers in New York Catholic schools voted to call off a two-day strike April 8 after a negotiating session with the Association of Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of New York. A second group still planned to go ahead with a strike during Pope Benedict XVI's April 18-20 visit to New York. The Federation of Catholic Teachers, the first group, staged its strike -- a sickout -- on Friday, April 4, at 10 schools and on Monday, April 7, at eight schools. Union officials had accused the archdiocese of unfair labor practices April 3. They said the teachers, who have been asked to increase what they have to pay for health insurance, did not receive information they requested from the archdiocese about other health care plans. The union represents about 3,300 Catholic elementary schoolteachers. Its members have been without a contract since September. Although it is asking for salary increases, claiming its teachers are paid half the salaries of teachers at local public schools, it said its primary issue is health coverage.

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