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A. The Union is hereby recognized by the Schools as the sole and
exclusive collective bargaining agent for the following lay employees at
the Schools.
1. All full-time classroom teachers;
2. All full-time guidance counselors;
3. All full-time librarians;
4. All full-time special education teachers
within the Diocese;
5. All long term substitutes: long term
substitutes are defined as those hired to teach one quarter or more or
the equivalent of one quarter or more in school days. If a vacancy
occurs after the beginning of school, it will be filled by a full-time
employee. However, if a principal receives less than thirty [30]
school days notice from the time the vacancy occurs, he/she may hire a
substitute to fill the position for that period of time up to thirty [30]
school days from the date of notice. In the event that the substitute
is subsequently hired to fill the position, the hiring shall be retroactive,
to the first day the substitute worked, for all aspects of employment including
salary, seniority, benefits, etc.
a. The above notwithstanding, whenever a vacancy
occurs during the fourth quarter, the principal may fill the position with
a substitute for the remainder of the school year.
6. All permanent part-time employees: permanent
part-time employees are defined as those teaching or working the equivalent
of an average of three classes per day.
B. Full-time positions shall not be filled with part-time employees.
C. Excluding all others including:
1. All presidents, principals, all vice principals,
all assistant principals appointed by the Bishop of the Diocese, and all
deans of students.
[a] In schools with enrollment
over 500, these administrators shall teach no more than two (2) periods
per day.
[b] In schools with enrollment
under 500, these administrators shall teach no more than three (3) periods
per day.
2. All short term substitute teachers, clerical
employees, custodial-maintenance personnel, cafeteria employees and teacher
aides.
D. The subjects covered by this Agreement are wages, benefits and other terms and conditions of employment.
E. Excluded from the scope of negotiations are the following:
1. Decisions involving educational policies
touching upon the Catholic identity and mission of the high schools, and/or
ecclesiastical considerations, and/or any matter touching upon the Catholic
identity and mission of the high schools.
2. The right and obligation of the Bishop
to assign priests, deacons and religious to any high school position.
3. The administrator's right to assign, supervise,
discipline and demand responsible teacher accountability in all curricular
and extra curricular areas.
4. The school ratio.
F. The Union declares that its aim is to provide a quality education for the students who attend the schools.
G. The Schools and the Union recognize the uniqueness of the Catholic school: it is established to provide a Catholic education - that is, education based on Catholic faith and Catholic principles under the direction and authority of the Bishop of Camden. Moreover, nothing in the agreement shall be construed to interfere in any way with the religious, ecclesiastical or canonical functions and duties of the Diocese.
H. The Schools and the Union recognize the importance of employees giving witness to the Faith by upholding and presenting the doctrinal and moral teachings of the Catholic Church and the policies of the Diocese of Camden related thereto, accurately, authentically and faithfully in all aspects of their educational ministry. Furthermore, Catholic teachers are called to a personal fidelity to the Church; they are to be outstanding for their correct doctrine and integrity of life.
I. The Union recognizes the non-profit nature of the Schools and that they are non-tax supported enterprises, primarily dependent upon tuition, and fees and voluntary offerings of the people, and that, accordingly, they are non-compatible to tax-supported enterprises.
J. The Union recognizes the sole right and duty of the Bishop of the Diocese functioning through the Diocese to see that the schools are operated in accordance with the philosophy of Catholic education, the doctrine, the teachings, the laws and norms of the Catholic Church, and the policies of the Diocese of Camden related thereto as stated by the Bishop.
K. The superintendent and the officers of the Union shall meet on a regular basis at the request of either party.
L. The right to hire, suspend, discharge or otherwise discipline a teacher is reserved to the principals of the Schools subject to the right and duty of the Bishop as acknowledged in this Agreement.
M. The school and/or parish administrators retain the sole right to operate the School and nothing shall be deemed to limit or restrict them in any way in the exercise of all their functions in management operations. This includes the right to make such rules relating to its operation as they shall deem advisable providing they are not inconsistent with the terms of the agreement.
N. In accordance with part III(2), pages 6&7 of the Settlement Agreement and Release dated October 15, 2001, new diocesan schools are automatically covered under this Agreement.
O. All employees hired on or after 9/1/2005 are subject to criminal background checks by the diocese's designated provider at the prospective employee's expense.