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Manchester teachers union files complaint after religious holiday requests denied

MANCHESTER, N.H. — Millions of people around the world are observing Good Friday and Passover, but in Manchester, New Hampshire, teachers who requested this day off for religious reasons were denied.

It's a battle Sue Hannon, the president of the Manchester NH Teachers Union never expected, but this year, Good Friday falls on the last Friday before April vacation. Passover begins at sundown.

Manchester teachers requested this Friday off for religious reasons but teachers, by contract, are not allowed to use a personal day to extend a vacation or long weekend.

The school department in Manchester said so many teachers requested the day this year, the department couldn't handle all of the requests and some were denied.

Union officials say the department made its decisions on who got the day off based on who previously requested Good Friday off and they say the school considered asking teachers to prove they actually attended services.

"Each of us practices our religion in our own way. For the district to assume that somebody is requesting a holiday, and not believing them, it just shows a lack of respect for the profession," said Michelle Couture.

The union appealed to the state public employee labor relations board and lost.

In a statement to Boston 25 News, the superintendent said, "If this issue went unchecked, I felt it would negatively impact our ability to provide our students with the consistency needed in the schools. I am pleased common sense prevailed."

The teachers union says this fight over time off for a religious holiday is not over. Its grievance against the Manchester, NH school department still stands.