SAN JUAN, Texas -- Concerns about pension plans and job security are prompting church workers in South Texas to join local labor organizations. The move is believed to be among the nation's first union representation in religious circles, according to The Associated Press.
More than two dozen non-clergy employees at four South Texas Catholic parishes have signed contracts with the United Farm Workers of America (UFW) and AFL-CIO.
The churches - St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church and Holy Spirit Catholic Church in McAllen, Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hidalgo and St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in San Carlos - belong to the Brownsville Diocese.
The diocese switched its pension plan to a new retirement program last year without employee consultation, UFW spokeswoman Rebecca Flores told the AP.
Father Sam Arizpe of St. Joseph the Worker said many employees received much less than they expected when the plan was cashed out. Employees, who were also concerned about job security since priests may fire workers at will, turned to the UFW for help, he said.
Flores said the UFW is talking to five other employees' groups interested in signing union cards. She didn't reveal any other details.
