MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          October 25, 2021

Subject:     COVID Boosters - Updates

Attached (Click Here), please find a copy of our demand to negotiate the impact of the District’s Friday, October 22, 2021, “Requirement for COVID-19 Testing - With Opt-Out for Vaccinated” correspondence.

If you have additional concerns, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We are also having our attorneys review the “waiver” provision that teachers are being required to sign to relieve companies from “any and all liability claims” associated with the COVID-19 testing.

Stay Tuned.

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          October 28, 2021

Subject:     District Testing/Vaccine Mandate/Other Updates

COVID Testing/Vaccination
Yes, there are differences relating to mandating vaccinations, masks, etc. There always will be differences.
What Buffalo teachers and many other teachers have always done, is to attempt to, while disagreeing with one another, be open to discuss our differences without hostility, and continue to work together in the interests of our students.

From what I am hearing, this has continued through these difficult times.
You are the best. No, the very best.

- Phil

District COVID-19 Testing Directive
As per our last email to you, we have made a demand to negotiate the impact of the COVID-19 testing directive. If necessary, we will take further legal action.

We will also be in conference with NYSUT attorneys regarding the requirement for teachers to “agree, certify, and/or authorize the information above and further agree that I and my heirs, executors and assigns hereby release CEI, Affinity Empowering, and other reference laboratories, including their respective employees, agents, and contractors from any and all liability and claims” as well as other issues you have raised.

Please continue to advise your LRS (Click Here) of any lack of safety equipment, lack of COVID-19 testing available, or any serious issues.

Starting on Monday, we will be forwarding answers to questions asked by teachers that we have received from NYSUT and the Superintendent.

We will continue to do so as they are received.

Concurrent/Simultaneous Non-Instruction
We will have our first concurrent/virtual instruction negotiation session on Friday, October 29, 2021 (1:30–3:30).

Our position on Concurrent/Simultaneous non-instruction is, “No”.

We have checked with surrounding districts. Apparently, no other district is requiring concurrent/simultaneous non-education. This includes Niagara Falls and Rochester.

They apparently care about the education of their students.

Free BPO Music Pass for BPS High School Students
Free BPO Symphony Hall Passes will be made available to Buffalo students.

Flyers will be sent to all schools including PreK-8 as many Buffalo teachers have children who are Buffalo students. They are available for other students at a cost of $29.

We thank the sponsors George and Bodil Gellman for their generosity.

BTF Grievance - Lack of Payment to Teachers for Extra Activities
The BTF is currently proceeding in a grievance against the District for any extra pay that is lacking for the 2020-2021 school year. If you have previously submitted your information, we are asking that you do so again in this survey (Link Below), so we can access and provide this information to the District in a convenient format.

Please fill out a survey for each day/activity for which you are unpaid.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CYMRRCP

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          November 1, 2021

Subject:     District Testing and COVID-19 Waiver

In response to our request for a legal opinion from our State Affiliate, NYSUT, relating to the District’s “COVID-19 Testing Form” we have received the attached response (Click Here). Please note the stared section on page 2.

If we receive further legal advice we will forward it to you.

PR:su

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          November 16, 2021

Subject:     Updates 11/18/2021

BTF COVID-19 Survey
Thus far, 1242 teachers have already responded to our BTF COVID-19 Position Survey.

As of today:

5. I support mandated COVID-19 vaccination of teachers/staff with religious and/or an individual's doctor-supported physical exemption.

• Agree 52.69%
• Disagree 34.24%
• No Position 12.06%

6. I do not support mandating COVID-19 vaccination of teachers/staff as it is a violation of a person's individual and/or constitutional rights.

• Agree 37.5%
• Disagree 50.70%
• No Position 11.95%

7. I support the mandated wearing of masks by teachers/staff in school.

• Agree 62.29%
• Disagree 29.01%
• No Position 8.70%

8. I do not support mandating the wearing of masks by teachers as it is a violation of a person's individual and/or constitutional rights.

• Agree 27.45%
• Disagree 60.14%
• No Position 12.41%

9. I support mandatory COVID-19 testing for teachers who have not provided proof of vaccination.

• Agree 65.19%
• Disagree 26.71%
• No Position 8.11%

10. I do not support mandatory COVID-19 testing of teachers who have not provided proof of vaccination as it is a violation of a person's individual and/or constitutional rights.

• Agree 28.21%
• Disagree 62.01%
• No Position 9.78%

Please take a few minutes to complete our survey, as we would like to have as many teachers as possible respond to ensure that all voices are heard. (For Survey Link, Please Refer to Email)

From all reports, Buffalo teachers, while having some disagreements with positions taken by colleagues, continue to rise above noise and angry confrontations.

There are discussions and conversations in an attempt to understand each other’s position without confrontation and anger.

No surprise here… that’s who we are.

Contract Negotiations
NYSUT/District representatives were in communication to discuss the District’s salary compression calculations. Once we hear from our NYSUT analyst we will both contact the PERB mediator to schedule a date to resume negotiations.

We have completed our analysis of the District’s financial position. It is excellent.

Concurrent/Simultaneous – Virtual Non-Instruction
Our next concurrent/simultaneous non-instruction negotiations session with the District will be this Friday, November 12, 2021.

The District is to respond to our proposals at that time, e.g. no simultaneous/virtual non-­instruction.

COVID-19 Testing Mandate
We have filed a Demand to Negotiate the impact of the COVID-19 testing mandate, e.g. free to teachers, available at schools, available any time during the day, etc.

We are in the process of setting up dates as soon as possible.

We have already been in contact with the District on these issues.

Free Music Passes for Buffalo High School Students
Free BPO Symphony Hall Passes will be made available to Buffalo students.

Flyers will be sent to all schools including PreK-8 as many Buffalo teachers have children who are Buffalo students. They are available for other students at a cost of $29.

We thank the sponsors George and Bodil Gellman for their generosity.

Posters are going out to the schools this week via the PONY.

Please stay well. Take no chances.

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          November 10, 2021

Subject:     Some “Recent” Isolation and Quarantine Information from Erie County Health Department, New York State Health Department and CDC

Attached (Click Here), please find copies of recent COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine documents. As you know, some of these change daily as conditions change.

They are from the Erie County Health Department, New York State Health Department and CDC. We have requested a copy of the latest District directive.

The sections are separated by blank pages to make it easier to read.

We will try to keep you up-to-date as they change. Please feel free to check the respective website for any changes.

We have made five hard copies for each school’s faculty room. They will be distributed at our Council of Delegates meeting on November 18, 2021.

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          November 10, 2021

Subject:     BTF Survey

BTF Survey
Thank you to the 1,430 teachers who have already responded to our survey.

If you haven’t already responded, please take time to complete it. We would like to have as many teachers as possible to ensure that your voice is heard. (For Survey Link, Please Refer to Email) Thank you.

Answers to Question Relating to the Survey
Teachers will, as they always are, continue to be represented by the BTF, if the District violates our contract.

The results of the survey are to advise others of how Buffalo teachers have voted on issues and to also let us all know the opinions of our colleagues.

NYSUT, who handles dismissals and other legal issues is obviously not bound by this survey. I hope this clears up any confusion.

Please stay well. Take no chances.