STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The union representing Catholic school teachers in the New York Archdiocese says the archdiocese is playing hardball with its latest contract proposal, threatening to close more Catholic schools unless teachers forgo a 2 percent raise increase over two years.

Federation of Catholic Teachers' (FCT) President Julia Pignataro outlined what the union says are the latest contract proposals in a letter to members, a copy of which was obtained by the Advance.

Teachers have been working without a contract since they returned to school in September. Earlier in the collective bargaining process, the union asked for a 6 percent per year wage increase over a three-year period. The archdiocese countered with a 1 percent wage increase offer over three years, and the union then countered with a 5 percent increase.

After several weeks, the archdiocese responded with two options, both linking salary increases to more school closures, according to the union. After its last round of school closures in 2013, the archdiocese vowed it was through, and schools were in the black. Six Staten Island schools were closed in the process and a seventh was consolidated.

According to the union, the first option would be a two-year contract with a 1 percent wage increase in year one, and a 1 percent wage increase in year two.

"According to the ACS (Association of Catholic Schools, the bargaining arm of the archdiocese) this wage increase would would be overwhelming to the system and would result in school closings of up to 10 per year," said Mrs. Pignataro, who is also a former kindergarten teacher at St. Joseph's School in Rosebank, which was closed by the archdiocese two years ago. 

A second option, according to the union, offers no wage increase for a two-year period. "If option B is selected, a guarantee will be put in writing that there will be no school closings for two years," she said.

Mrs. Pignataro argues that teachers are the "backbone" of the Catholic school system, and are often unfairly blamed for tuition hikes and school closures. "They are hardworking and loyal, but they have families and expenses to meet too," she said.

Fran Davies, associate superintendent of schools for the archdiocese, said the union's statements in its letter to members may not be "factually correct." She said the archdiocese "has been engaged in good-faith negotiations" with the union since the summer, and said she could not elaborate while the bargaining sessions are still in progress. She said a another bargaining session with the FCT is being planned for later this month.

Meanwhile, the FCT is planning its own meetings with members; a session for Staten Island teachers is scheduled for Jan. 21, at the Drumgoole Council, Knights of Columbus Hall in Richmond.

On Staten Island the FCT, which is based in New Springville, represents teachers at St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School, Huguenot; St. Peter's Boys High School, New Brighton; high school teachers at Notre Dame Academy, Grymes Hill, as well as high school teachers at St. John Villa Academy, Arrochar, and 18 Island Catholic elementary schools that are governed by a regional school board. The union also represents Catholic schools in Manhattan, the Bronx, Westchester and six upstate counties of the New York Archdiocese.

The starting union salary for Catholic school teachers with a four-year bachelor's degree is $45,000 a year. Senior teachers, with a master's degree and 30 credits toward a doctorate degree, top out at $63,000. According to the union, the average teacher salary is $56,000 after 12 years in the system.