Lay teachers ratify contract

NEW YORK The Federation of Catholic Teachers announced Tuesday that its members overwhelming approved the tentative contract reached last month.

FCT President Mary-Ann Perry says teachers will get a 15 percent raise and save $1,200 in family health insurance payments over the life of the contract.

Meanwhile, the Lay Faculty Association, which represents 450 teachers at 10 Catholic schools, has refused to accept similar terms from the archdiocese.

During Pope Benedict XVI's visit to New York City in April, the LFA staged a walkout. Spokesman Henry Kielkucki (KEEL-cook-ee) says the LFA met with the archdiocese on Friday but that no new talks are scheduled.

List of affected High Schools:

New York City:

Cathedral HS (Manahattan)

Cardinal Hayes HS (Bronx)

Cardinal Spellman HS (Bronx)

Monsignor Farrell HS (Staten Island)

Moore Catholic HS (Staten Island)

Westchester:

Maria Regina HS (Hartsdale)

JFK Catholic HS (Somers)

Archbishop Stepinac HS (White Plains)

Dutchess:

Our Lady of Lourdes HS (Poughkeepsie)

Orange:

John S. Burke Catholic HS (Goshen)