Welcome to the online home of the Federation of Pittsburgh Diocesan Teachers.

The Federation of Pittsburgh Diocesan Teachers was formed in 1971 by the lay teachers of the high schools of the Pittsburgh Diocese. Since that time the Federation has grown steadily. The majority of lay teachers in the Diocese of Pittsburgh now belong to the Federation.

We are affiliated with the National Association of Catholic School Teachers: 1700 Sansom Street - Suite 903 - Philadelphia, PA 19103.

Temporary Fax #: (412) 921-6069

HEALTH CARE MEETINGS

We are still waiting to hear from the Insurance and Benefits Office as to the dates, times and locations of the meeting regarding the new hospitalization plan for the elementary and Saint Anthony teachers. As soon as we hear you will hear. Please do not worry as you will be afforded the opportunity to have your questions answered regarding the new plan. Information will also be mailed to your home with forms that you must complete for the premium deduction and the flexible spending account (FSA). Please remember that both the premium deduction and the FSA deduction are tax sheltered. This means that they are taken from your pay BEFORE TAXES!!

If you are taking the health care insurance through the Diocese you must fill out the premium deduction information. The FSA deduction is optional. If you have any questions please give us a call.

AMERICAN BOARD (ABCTE)

The Department has implemented a procedure for teachers holding the Passport to Teaching credential issued by the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) so that they may be eligible for a Pennsylvania Instructional I certificate in a comparable subject area.

After candidates earn the ABCTE Passport certificate by passing the ABCTE tests in pedagogy and the subject area, they may apply to the Bureau of Teacher Certification and Preparation for a Pennsylvania Temporary Teaching Permit (TTP), valid for one calendar year. This TTP allows them to serve in the public schools of the Commonwealth under a "mentoring" program supervised by a teacher education institution (Point Park University). The university will provide both mentoring and continuing education seminars/workshops during that initial year of teaching.

The American Board Passport credential is currently available for Elementary Education, English and Mathematics, and we have already approved applications for the TTP for individuals who have been hired by the public school districts and private and non-public schools. Because the TTP is only valid for one calendar year, we encourage the candidates to seek employment first and then apply for the Permit.

You should also note that teachers holding the TTP in the subject area to which they are assigned are considered "highly qualified" in the No Child Left Behind report and for the State Report card.

Further information on the Passport to Teaching for Pennsylvania is available on the American Board website.

For further information contact:
Bureau of Teacher Certification and Preparation
333 Market Street, 3rd Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333
Telephone: 717-787-3356

OWNERSHIP
Russell Del Vecchio

With the first whirlwind month of school fading into the rearview mirror I would like to bring you up to date on some rather important issues.

The first is the status of House Bill #2626. This bill currently before the legislators in Harrisburg would amend the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board to include Catholic School teachers. Labor relations law provides a framework covering the practices of the employer in dealing with their employees. Catholic teachers are not covered under labor relations law at either the federal or the state level. The United States Supreme Court in the 1970's ruled that Catholic teachers were not covered by the federal labor relations law. The law in Pennsylvania that was passed in the 1930's, employees of religious organizations were excluded. Given this background the FPDT has recognized the importance of written enforceable language since its inception and as a result our collective bargaining agreements contain such language provisions. This is not the case in many Catholic Teachers unions and the results in many cases has been very distressing as I have mentioned on prior occasions (e.g. Scranton Catholic teachers).

We have a very positive and productive relationship with the Schools' and Bishop's offices that has served as an example for other Catholic teachers unions and dioceses. This relationship has benefited all involved parties and has proved a foundational basis for the schools going forward. The bill under going hearings would give some added benefits and as a result we stand with our national union in its support of this bill. You will also find George Rudolph's testimony regarding this bill on our web site.

The other issue that I would like to mention is to always talk to your building representative or call the office when a problematic issue arises. This means more than a situation with the administration. Many times it is a matter of contract language clarification or a benefits related question. When you do this it enables us to address the matter in a proactive rather than a reactive fashion. We are here to serve you in all matters pertaining to the collective bargaining agreements. Our early involvement can lead to an early resolution of your situation.

BUILDING REPS

Please remember to approach the new teachers at your school about joining the FPDT. If you need cards, please call us and we will send them to you.

FPDT DATES

General Membership @ 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 15
Agenda: Union Health Care
St. Paul's Seminary

Building Rep.
November 19, Wednesday @ 4:30 p.m.
April 22, Wednesday @ 4:30 p.m.
St. Paul's Seminary

FPDT NEWS & NOTES

• If you have moved or gotten married and/or had a name change, please call the office with this new information.



• Please note our new fax number: (412) 921-6069



• Forms for the FSA (flexible savings account) for out of pocket medical expenses can be obtained from your business manager in November. This is a tax advantaged way to pay your out of pocket medical expenses. All elementary and St. Anthony teachers will need to fill out the form for premium co-pays in November to start 1/1/09. This form needs to be completed even if you do not opt for the FSA.



• Look for meetings to be held to explain both the FSA and premium co-pay tax advantage plans.
• We welcome the teachers at St. Elizabeth's. They are the newest addition to the schools of the Federation.

CLARIFICATION FOR THE NEW ELEMENTARY CONTRACT APPENDIX B, P. 49

To read this document, in PDF format, click here.

ST. ANTHONY TEACHERS CONTRACT RATIFIED

Russell Del Vecchio

On August 25, 2008 the St. Anthony teachers ratified a new six year collective bargaining agreement. I would like to start by thanking the members of the team for all of their hard work and dedication. The team members are: Gina Baer St. Gabriel's, Marty Murawski Bishop McDowell, Chris Brown and Regina Brunner. This process required countless hours and the shouldering of the immense responsibility that goes along with doing this most challenging task.

The new agreement has many major language and benefit improvements. It also contains the new health care options that will become effective 1/1/09. The health care options will be explained in detail at meetings in the fall of 2008. You do not have to make a selection at the start of the next school year but you need to make your selection in the fall of 2008 for it to be in effect for the start of the new year. The health care plan requires that you familiarize yourself with the options and select the best one for your needs.

FPDT ELECTION RESULTS FOR THE TERM 2008-2011

President: Russ Del Vecchio
Executive Vice President: Gina Baer
Treasurer: Cindy DiBello
Secretary: Marty Murawski

Vice-Presidents at large
Theresa Bekavac
Nancy Snider
Mike Galuska
Brian Klisavage
Regina Brunner
George Schlicht

Vice-Presidents High School
Tom Hohler
Bob Rose
George Rudolph

Vice-Presidents Elementary
Linda Attwood
Mary Kay Mooney

Diocese of Scranton Refuse To Recognize Catholic Teachers Union After Diocesan Reorganization

Please take a moment to read the newspaper report from the Scranton paper detailing the plight of the Catholic teacher's union there. Read it and remember that the FPDT is the only Catholic Teachers Union that has contract language to prevent the from happening here.

For Elementary & St. Anthony Teachers: View Upcoming Changes to Healthcare in PDF format, click here.

ACT 48 COURSES

Free online Act 48 courses are provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Education at http://pa.professionaleducation.org. Just create an account and select your course. From the comfort of your home or anywhere you can now earn Act 48 credits.

For more information on what the Federation is doing for Catholic education and what we can do for you, we encourage you to explore the following sections of our website:

ABOUT THE FPDT
To read about the mission and history of the FPDT, click here.

WHO WE ARE
Find out the schools that belong to the FPDT, click here.

THE BOARD
For a complete list of executive board members of the FPDT, click here.

JOB LISTINGS
Read about job openings, click here. This section is updated regularly. Make sure to check back often.

CONTACT US
To contact us, click here.