Pennsylvania House Bill 26 (HB 26) - Fact Sheet

What is PA House Bill 26?

PA House Bill 26 (last session's HB 2626) seeks to amend the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Act to allow lay teachers and other lay employees of religiously-affiliated schools to organize and bargain collectively with their employers. the Bill would also provide protection from unfair labor practices.

Why is House Bill 26 Needed?

The employees of religiously-affiliated schools are the only workers who lack coverage under either a national or state labor law. Without such coverage, employees lack the freedom to form unions free from intimidation and reprisal by their employers.

Doesn't Church Teaching Support the Right to Unionize?

Catholic social teaching strongly supports the right of workers including Catholic school teachers to organize, and unions have already been formed and are negotiating contracts in six of Pennsylvania's eight dioceses.

However, there seems to be a growing discrepancy between what the Catholic Church teaches and what it puts into practice. the most recent example of such a discrepancy is currently happening in the Diocese of Scranton. there, following the reorganization of the Diocesan school system, the Diocese refused to grant recognition to the union which had represented teachers for 30 years. After busting the teachers' union the Diocese established a company union, a device that would be illegal in any other workplace in America.

Without the protection of the law, even unionized teachers are just one bishop away from having their unions busted. the Church's rationale for this is that, under Canon Law, when a new bishop comes to a diocese, he is free to follow Church teachings on workers' rights or to disregard them.

Does That Mean That Without House Bill 26 All Unions in Catholic Schools are in Jeopardy?

Without the protection of the law, all unionized teachers are just one bishop away from having their unions busted. When a new bishop takes over a diocese, he is free to follow Church teachings on workers' rights or to disregard them. Under the precepts of Canon Law, neither his fellow bishops nor the Pope can override a bishop in this area.

Do Other States Have Laws Like House Bill 26?

Yes, House Bill 26 is modeled after a law that has been in effect in New York State since the 1960's. the bishops throughout the State follow the organizing, negotiating and unfair labor practices statutes.

Who Supports House Bill 26?

HB 26 has the full backing of all Catholic school teacher unions in the State of Pennsylvania, as well as those unions across the country that are affiliates of the National Association of Catholic School Teachers.

HB 26 has also been endorsed by the unions affiliated with the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO. American Federation of Teachers, Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania State Education Association have pledged their support as well. Catholic Scholars for Worker Justice, a renowned group of academics from some of the most prestigious universities in the country, have also endorsed HB 26.

What Can We Do to Support the Campaign to Pass HB 26?

The most effective thing that can be done to support HB 26 is to contact your local state representative, as well as other members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, and urge them to become co-sponsors of HB 26 and to support its passage into law.

How Do I Find Contact Information for Members of the General Assembly?

All contact information can be found on-line at http://www.legis.state.pa.us/

If you don't know the name of your local member of the House or Senate, enter your zip code in the space at the top of the page and you will be directed to his/her information.

What is the Most Effective Way to Contact Members of the General Assembly?

Any method of contact will produce the desired results. However, according to the Members themselves, here is their ranking of the type of contact that is most effective:

• Personal visit
• Letter
• Phone call
• E-mail

What Are Some Effective Talking Points That Can Be Used in Reference to HB 26?

Here you'll find several resources including some talking points, a sample letter to your state, house, and senate members, and the original House Bill 26 and its summary.

• House Bill 2626 (PDF)
• House Bill 2626 Analysis (Summary) (PDF)
• Sample letter to your state, house, and senate member (MS Word)
• Talking Points (PDF)
• Harrisburg Hearing Transcript (PDF)

You can also access up-to-date information on HB 26 by visiting http://www.sdact.com/blog