Pennsylvania Labor Bill Would Protect Lay Teachers In Religious Schools

In Pennsylvania last week, state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski introduced HB 2626 to extend coverage of the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Act to lay teachers and other lay employees in religious schools. The bill provides that in labor disputes involving a religious organization, the state Labor Relations Board may not define or interpret religious doctrine, but may determine whether religious doctrine is being used as a pretext. Yesterday's Philadelphia Bulletin reports that the bill has 55 co-sponsors. The introduction of the bill follows a controversy over the Diocese of Scranton's including teacher Michael Milz in those who were laid off this year Milz was leading a movement to unionize employees, though the Diocese said this had nothing to do with its decision. The Diocese of Scranton has issued a statement opposing passage of the bill.