The Syracuse Diocese is planning to “restructure” the St. Mary’s - St. Agnes Cemeteries Corporation and layoff all six workers.
“If there’s a loss of unions, then there’ll be no (balance) of power.” —Bishop Frank Harrison
These workers, with an average of 20 years on the job, earning a modest $32,000 per year, are middle aged family men with little hope of finding new employment.
“[This] move callously disregards concern for longtime, loyal workers who do back-breaking, sometimes grim work. It also illustrates a high-handed ‘do as I say, not as I do’ hypocrisy.” —Syracuse Post Standard Editorial Board
There is no reason for a profitable cemetery business to restructure except to get rid of a moderately paid ageing workforce — to bust their Union.
“…workers’ rights cannot be doomed to be the mere result of economic systems aimed at maximum profits. The thing that must shape the whole economy is respect for the workers’ rights.” —Pope John Paul II
If you care about the injustice these workers face, call Bishop Robert J. Cunningham at (315) 422-7203 and ask him: why have you forsaken these workers?