We, the undersigned parents, parishioners, alumni, educators, and supporters of Catholic education in the Archdiocese of New York, respectfully call upon the Archdiocese to engage in good-faith collective bargaining with the Federation of Catholic Teachers (FCT).

For decades, Catholic schools in the Archdiocese have delivered excellent academic outcomes while remaining grounded in faith formation, service, and community. Students in our Catholic schools consistently outperform New York City public school students by more than 15% on state assessments — a testament to the dedication, professionalism, and expertise of the educators who serve them.

The Federation of Catholic Teachers represents nearly 3,000 teachers, aides, and assistants across 87 elementary schools. These educators carry forward the mission of Catholic education each day with commitment, skill, and a deep sense of vocation.

The current contract proposal would increase educators’ out-of-pocket healthcare costs by 500% to 1,000% while offering annual salary increases of 3% for the first year, then 2% for the following two years. Even if phased in, such increases to the out-of-pocket costs would create a significant and unsustainable financial burden for the professionals entrusted with educating and forming our children.

We believe:

• Catholic educators deserve affordable, sustainable healthcare.
• Competitive and fair compensation is essential to retaining and attracting high-quality teachers.
• Academic success requires stable staffing and long-term investment.
• Transparency, collaboration, and good-faith negotiation are foundational to institutional trust.
• Catholic education thrives when educators are supported, families are engaged, and leadership collaborates to develop sustainable solutions.

We respectfully urge the Archdiocese of New York to:

• Engage in genuine good-faith bargaining with the Federation of Catholic Teachers.
• Propose a healthcare plan that is financially sustainable for educators.
• Propose a financially sustainable salary increase for educators.
• Invest strategically in the long-term vitality and competitiveness of Catholic schools.
• Our schools are not only centers of academic excellence but communities of faith and service. 

Guaranteeing fair and sustainable working conditions for Catholic educators safeguards the future of Catholic education in New York.