MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          May 9, 2022

Subject:     Updates

Negotiations
As per our last update, we have received a new District contract proposal. While it is not near what we expect, there was movement.

Its financial aspects are being evaluated.

On May 6, 2022, we submitted a counter contract proposal that, once again, reflects Buffalo teachers’ dedication and commitment to our students.

They are to respond today.

Our next sessions are scheduled for May 16 and 20, 2022.

School Safety
We will continue to survey the safety/disruptive conditions in our schools.

The Superintendent has indicated that she will take action to correct problems.

The results of the “School Safety Survey” will be sent to the Superintendent, Board and of course, you.

As always, teachers’ names and identifying sections will be removed.

Please complete the “School Safety Survey” as soon as possible. If you can, by May 16, 2022.

Thank you. (Click Here)

Legal Action Against BTF and District
As you may have read in The Buffalo News, a Buffalo teacher has taken legal action against the BTF, NYSUT and the Buffalo School District.

The issue is whether it is constitutional to “deduct and accepted and continue to accept union dues or fees from Plaintiff’s wages without providing her any meaningful notice or opportunity to object to the ongoing deductions, to the process by which the money was and is deducted, or to the ways her money was used and is being used.”

The membership document that NYSUT provides for new members states, “I understand that this authorization and assignment is not a condition of my employment and shall remain in effect, regardless of whether I am or remain a member of the union, for a period of one year from the date of this authorization and shall automatically renew from year to year unless I revoke this authorization by sending a written, signed notice of revocation via U.S. mail to the union between the window period of August 1-31 or another window period specified in a collective bargaining agreement.”

NYSUT has advised us that similar legal actions have been commenced across New York State. A law firm in Pennsylvania is handling many of these cases.

Please be advised that the Labor Relations Specialist cited in the complaint has many emails showing that she (and other staff members) worked very hard to assist the teacher, as she does for all teachers.

This, as were the last legal actions, is apparently an attempt to weaken unions. It will play out in courts.

While we may agree or disagree on an issue, we as teachers, respect the rights of others.

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          May 4, 2022

Subject:     Updates

Negotiations
As per our briefing at the Council of Delegates meeting, there was enough improvement in the District’s offer to agree to continue negotiations. While the offer was not acceptable, it provided enough movement for us to schedule additional sessions. They are set for May 6, 9, 16 and 20.

As per practice in negotiations, individual proposals and counter-proposals are not publicized unless one party gives notice as we did with the March District “proposal”.

We will soon see if there has been a rethinking of the District’s desire to acknowledge your dedication and commitment to our students. The District has millions of dollars available, thanks to our efforts.

Stay tuned.

School Safety/Support

• District Investigation By Outside Agency
  • BTF seeking safeguards for teachers, e.g. voluntary, can have LRS present, no reprisals, anonymous, copy of questions.
• BTF has demanded negotiations on this issue.
• Continue reporting incidents/problems to BTF.

Special Education

• BTF to survey/will report to New York State and Federal Court, if not corrected.
  • Students not placed correctly or placed at all.
  • Teachers/Aides pulled for other duties.
  • Etc.

Supplemental Benefit Fund
As expected, there have been glitches with the implementation of the automated Delta Dental dental plan.

Teachers should not have to pay more than they would have under our plan. Indeed some payments should have been less.

We are working with them to correct the problem. Teachers who overpaid for services will be reimbursed when the problem is corrected.

School Calendar
2022-2023 School Calendar MOU signed by Superintendent – with possible Monday off after Easter.

Concurrent Idiocy

• First District proposal rejected … has been grieved
• Have demanded to negotiate impact

Annual Retirement Dinner
The BTF’s retirement dinner will be held at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens on May 18, 2022. It will be preceded by a brief Council of Delegates meeting. For teachers who will be retiring this year, (click here) for the reservation form. For delegates attending, (click here).

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          May 14, 2022

Subject:     Negotiations

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          April 21, 2022

Subject:     Solidarity Rally Reminder – Negotiations

Reminder - BTF Solidarity Rally
Tomorrow, we will be demonstrating our unbroken Solidarity and Anger with the Board’s insulting and degrading contract proposals as well as its contract delays.

Let’s once again show our solidarity. They will be watching.

I will be addressing the Superintendent and Board on your behalf.

Signs will be available in the school’s parking lot.

They may be returned to the same place at the conclusion of the rally.

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          April 21, 2022

Subject:     May 14, 2022 Murders

To believe that violence and murder, yes murder, born out of racism and hatred can’t happen here, is not only a denial of reality, but a formula for its spread (Click Here).

We all know that working with students, understanding their needs, the needs of their families and the racial and social barriers they face daily, is critical to their and everyone’s well-being.

That is why we are continuing to fight on a State and National level for:

• Earmarked Federal funding for school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, school attendance teachers, etc. with a defined caseload, e.g. 120/1.
• Earmarked Federal funding to provide sufficient security personnel who will also be trained to gain the confidence of students to relate any concerns.
• Earmarked Federal funding for community organizations that have experience working with students to prevent acts of violence and disruption.
• De-escalating techniques for all staff and parents.
• Earmarked Federal funding to provide additional security measures for any District/School that needs them, without taking away from students’ other educational needs programs.
• Other critical school security needs identified by a school district and its school staff.

Randy Weingarten, President of AFT, and Becky Pringle, President of NEA, our two National affiliates, and Andy Pallotta, NYSUT President, have called to offer support. They will work with us to ensure that we have the resources we need, not just now but for the future.

We will advise you and participate in upcoming rallies.

Among those we know of, who were murdered or harmed:

Roberta A. Drury, 32, of Buffalo
Margus D. Morrison, 52, of Buffalo
Andre Mackneil, 53, of Auburn, New York
Aaron Salter, 55, of Lockport, New York
Geraldine Talley, 62, of Buffalo
Celestine Chaney, 65, of Buffalo
Heyward Patterson, 67, of Buffalo
Katherine Massey, 72, of Buffalo
Pearl Young, 77, of Buffalo
Ruth Whitfield, 86, of Buffalo
Zaire Goodman, 20, of Buffalo, was treated and released from hospital
Jennifer Warrington, 50, of Tonawanda, New York, was treated and released from hospital
Christopher Braden, 55, of Lackawanna, New York, had non-life-threatening injuries

BTF Press Release Confusion
Even though the subject line of your email was “February 17, 2022 BTF Press Release”, obviously after reading it and seeing its date, May 15, 2022, you realized that it was not from February 17.

The February 17, 2022 date was inadvertently left on the subject line.

To view again (Click Here).

District Support Services
Especially in these times, you should be aware of the BPS Employee Assistance Program. (Click Here)

School Safety Survey
We realize that with the events this weekend, there was little time to complete our school safety survey.

Please take the time to complete it, especially now. Thank you.

APPR Suspended for the Year
Governor Hochul has just signed legislation, advocated for by NYSUT and BTF, that suspends the APPR for the 2021-2022 school year.

We have notified the District and expect notification to staff soon.

There should be no need for evaluations.

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          May 19, 2022

Subject:     Update – Thursday, May 19, 2022

May 14, 2022 Murders
As you know from our last correspondence/Press Release,

“We call upon the media and all who care about the truth to, instead of referring to vicious, heinous and racist acts such as those in Buffalo as “shootings”, “killings”, etc. to call them what they are – MURDERS – and those who have been found to commit them – MURDERERS.

If it needs to be couched as “apparent murder”, or “alleged murderer” for legal reasons, the stigma must be present and known to occur before and when they make their vicious plans”, stated Philip Rumore, President, Buffalo Teachers Federation.”

First, as always, you have gone above and beyond in providing comfort and understanding to your students, each other and parents. You are Buffalo teachers… the very best.

We have been advised by our friends in the community that the best way to provide direct assistance to the murder victims, survivors, their families and others in the community is to contribute to the Buffalo Survivors Fund.

The BTF has authorized a $50,000 contribution from our reserves on behalf of Buffalo teachers. (Note: We have over one million dollars in reserves for such expenditures).

If you would also like to contribute, the link is https://www.gofundme.com/f/buffalo-survivors-fund.
Note: If you don’t go to “Enter Custom Tip”, 15% will be added to your donation. If you click on it, you can add nothing or whatever you want to add to your donation.

In order to not interfere with other marches, rallies, etc. and to ensure that the racist murders are not forgotten, we have scheduled a Unity Rally for June 2, 2022, at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park from 4:30 to 5:30 to accommodate late school schedules.

Please note that in addition to the Interim Superintendent, we will be joined by Randi Weingarten, our National AFT President and Andy Pallotta, our New York State President.

We have invited others and await their responses. You will be notified of any additions.

This Unity Rally is important; however, it is not intended to just be a unity rally but a call for action. We will be inviting each speaker to say what action(s) they will be taking and how together we can support them.

Unity Rally flyers will be distributed to you next week (Click Here).

Supplemental Benefit Fund
The problems incurred in implementing the Delta Dental plan have been corrected. You can continue to use your Delta Dental card.

More detailed information will be forthcoming. There will also be a process for submitting any concerns with previous charges. They will be corrected and a refund issued if a mistake was made.

Negotiations
Our May 16, 2022 negotiating session was not held for obvious reasons. It will be rescheduled and others added.

Our next session will be with the PERB-appointed mediator on Friday, May 20, 2022.

Stay Tuned