MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          June 3, 2022

Subject:     BTF Unity Rally – Thank You – A Student Speaks Out

BTF Unity Rally
Thank you to all those who attended our unity rally despite the occasional few drops of rain now and then.

Your presence was greatly appreciated by all and especially important for our student speaker, Brooklyn Bullock from Olmsted School, to see you. Please take the time to read her statement (Click Here). We always have the voice of students at important events. In my opinion, it was the most important speech given.

We also played a tape of the statement made by Jasmine Cameron, student member of the Board of Education, at a recent Board meeting. She is from the International Preparatory School.

We thank all those who participated (Click Here).

We also thank the union presidents from surrounding locals and some members of the NYSUT Board of Directors for joining us. (I won’t name them as I might miss one.)

Thank you again.

Note: Although most of the media were present for this important event, the Buffalo News didn’t deem it important enough to cover. What else is new.

Pride Parade
As per the request of teachers, please see the attached (Click Here) for information regarding the Pride Parade.

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          June 6, 2022

Subject:     School Safety - Negotiations - Inventory of Equipment

School Safety
In light of the tragic murders that have and continue to take place and all that you have had to face recently, we wanted to give you another chance to provide your responses to our School Safety Assessment.

It is open to all teachers. (Click Here)

Thus far, we have about two hundred (200) responses; however, we want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to respond.

Please complete it prior to Monday, June 13, 2022.

The results will be sent to you, the District, and the media.

Negotiations
We are scheduled to meet today (June 6, 2022), June 10 and 17. The mediator will be available if needed.

The District is to provide a new comprehensive package today.

As per our last correspondence, the mediator has requested that details of the meetings not be made public unless he and the other side have been given notice.

We can not allow the District to continue its delaying actions.

Stay Tuned.

Inventory of Equipment
In case you have not received the Superintendents’ response to our complaint, it is here. (Click Here)

We are seeking clarification as to whether the District is mandating this or if it is voluntary. (Click Here)

We are filing a grievance just in case.

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          June 8, 2022

Subject:     Negotiations – Improper Practice Filed

Negotiations
The District, despite our three (3) Improper Practice charges, has continued to not only delay negotiations, but has now refused to negotiate salaries, etc.

Enclosed (Click Here), please find correspondence sent to the Superintendent, Board, District Chief Negotiator and PERB mediator.

The Superintendent and Board response will be forwarded to you.

The mediator will no doubt be corresponding with us.

We are scheduled to meet on Friday, June 10, 2022.

Stay Tuned

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          June 10, 2022

Subject:     Negotiations Update

Another Slap in the Face to Buffalo Teachers
The District today, again, refused to provide a counter proposal to our May 6, 2022 salary proposal.
As you know, we have already filed an Improper Practice charge against the District.

In light of the District’s continued insults, the following motion will be made at our next (June 13, 2022) Council of Delegates meeting.

MOVED: “That the BTF Council of Delegates authorizes the BTF Executive Committee to take the actions necessary to ensure that a new contract is provided for a vote of teachers prior to June 30, 2022.”

MOVED: Philip Rumore, President SECOND: Rebecca Pordum, Vice-President

e.g. Picketing Superintendent, Board Members, District Negotiating team houses.

Note: As per our attorneys, the threat of an illegal action (strike) has serious consequences.

Also, you should not use the District email for any such threats. Remember, the District has access to those emails.

We will forward more on the legal issues on Monday. Please be careful, especially if you are an elected representative.

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          June 14, 2022

Subject:     Update - June 14, 2022

Negotiations
The Council of Delegates passed the following motion unanimously.

MOVED: That the BTF Council of Delegates authorizes the BTF Executive Committee to take the actions necessary to ensure that a new contract is provided for a vote of teachers prior to June 30, 2022.

MOVED: Philip Rumore, President SECOND: Rebecca Pordum, Vice-President

Possible Actions:

• Picket Superintendent and Board Members’ homes
• Media Ads
• Others to Come

Legal advice from BTF attorneys. (Click Here)

You should know that as per the Council of Delegates meeting, teachers at a school, who, after violent fights after school, were out the next day, were charged with striking and found guilty because some had a meeting after school and discussed calling in sick. The Delegate Chair and BTF advised them that they might have to present a doctor’s note and that there should be no group actions.

We are still challenging this in court.

Please be careful what you write. Remember, the District has access to messages sent via the District email system.

Yes, we have filed Improper Practice charges against the District for delaying negotiations, have been working with PERB, gone through the pandemic, worked through a change in Superintendents, etc.

Yes, we now have millions more to fund a contract than when we began negotiations, thanks to our efforts in Albany and Washington, DC.

However:
No more delays.
No more second-class status.

A new contract now that reflects the commitment and dedication of Buffalo teachers.

Note: The PERB mediator has set June 23, 2022 as the first date he is available to meet. We have advised him that we will be there.

New York State is one of the only states where a teachers’ strike is illegal, resulting in 2 for 1 penalties and other legal actions. One plus, the current contract stays in place unless a strike is called.

LRS Opening
We congratulate Matt Kibler on securing a position with NYSUT to represent Higher Education in Western New York.

He will be missed as he worked tirelessly on your behalf.

If you are interested in applying, see the attached posting (Click Here).

Note: As per the BTF contract:

“E. Federation Leave
(1) Upon application, the Board shall grant to a maximum of twelve (12) probationary or contract teachers, leaves of absence without pay on a year-to-year basis for the purpose of service on the staff of the Federation or its affiliates. Upon return from such leave the teacher shall be granted up to four (4) years of increment credit.”

We have no teachers on this leave of absence.

Juneteenth
Join Us! (Click Here)

Professional Learning Team - Needs Assessment
Your opportunity to effect change in Staff Development's course offerings is here. If you have not already done so, please take the survey to assist in deciding on programming for the 22-23 school year (Click Here) - Login to PGS, Go to Course Catalog, Click the appropriate survey (Elementary or High School) under "My Surveys" and look for "My Surveys".

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          June 17, 2022

Subject:     Negotiations Media

These will begin to appear this weekend on the Buffalo News website/platform.

The large one, when opened.

The side by side, when viewing an article.

Here is what will appear when Learn More is clicked on: http://FairContractNow.org/

Print articles will appear in the Bees, Criterion and Challenger to come.

PR:su