Pocono News Section

Students Leave Classes to Support Teachers' Union Efforts

Students Leave Classes to Support Teachers' Union Efforts - Friday, February 29, 2008 at 12:27PM EST

Reported by: David DeCosmo
Friday, Feb 29, 2008 @12:27pm EST
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- Some 200 students at Holy Redeemer High School in Wilkes-Barre walked out of school Friday morning to show their support for their teachers who are trying to get the Scranton Diocese to recognize their union. The students prayed, chanted, and carried signs supporting heir teachers.

The student walkout followed demonstrations by teachers, parents and other supporters at three Catholic schools in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania. Those demonstrations, at Holy Redeemer in Wilkes-Barre, Holy Cross High School in Scranton, and Saint John Neumann High School in Williamsport, all took place before classes began for the day.

On Thursday classes had to be canceled at Holy Redeemer because a large number of teachers called off sick. The teachers want recognizion of the Scranton Diocese Association of Catholic Teachers as their collective bargaining agent. The Scanton Diocese has refused to recognize the union.

Students who participated in the walkout in Wilkes-Barre say they have been told they will have to report for two and one half hours of detention on March 8th as punishment for their actions.