Statement of Catholic Scholars for Worker Justice

Catholic Scholars for Worker Justice congratulates the Boston-based Caritas Christi Hospital System, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, and the Area Trades Council for their landmark Strategic Agreement governing union organizing processes and for their shared commitment to build productive and innovative labor management relationships.

Catholic Social Teaching strongly supports union organization, undertaken free of coercion and based on accurate and truthful information. We believe the spirit of this agreement is in full accord with our church’s teaching.

The mission of Catholic Scholars for Worker Justice is to promote Catholic Social Teaching on the rights of workers and the indispensable role that unions play in securing justice for workers and their families, in the workplace, and for the universal common good.

We speak out and call on parties to be held accountable to these principles when we observe actions that violate them.

We also seek to recognize parties who take affirmative steps to implement these principles in their employment relationships.

It is in this spirit that we congratulate the individuals who engaged in the constructive dialogue and hard work that produced this landmark agreement. We hope the agreement serves as a model for others in health care and other industries, in Boston and across the country.

Download the Catholic Scholar Statement