MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          July 22, 2022

Subject:     Update Negotiations, District Personal Cell Phone Information, SBF

Negotiations

We are still awaiting the appointment of a PERB Fact-finder. As you know, we are ready to proceed to show just how far Buffalo teachers are behind our colleagues and how much funding we have fought for and secured for the District.

Although the delays are unacceptable, they have enabled us to secure many millions more than was anticipated when we began e.g., NYS Foundation Aid and Federal funds.

We are also meeting with the Action Committee on actions to achieve a contract worthy and reflective of your dedication and commitment to our students and each other.

Personal Cell Phone Information

We have received concerns relating to the District requiring teachers’ personal cell phone numbers to access certain sites. Please Click on the link to find a document from the District’s website (www.buffaloschools.org/page/98888).

Note: “If you are unwilling, or unable, to provide a personal phone number, some good alternatives include using the Microsoft Authenticator or App or creating a free Google Voice phone number from your Non-B.P.S. Google account,” p. 2/5. There is other information in the “document”. If you still have concerns, please contact your LRS and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Problems reaching the Supplemental Benefits Office (SBF)

Two of the secretaries in the SBF office have tested positive for COVID 19. They appear to be doing well. Please understand if you are having trouble reaching someone.

Thank you.

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          July 22, 2022

Subject:     Update - July 26, 2022

Negotiations

District’s April 28 Proposals - Some of the Low-Lights

Signing “Bonuses”

• July 2019-2020
• July 2020-2021 - No Salary Increases
• July 2021-2022
  

(a)   Active, full-time teachers, employed by the District at the time of ratification of this agreement by the Board that were hired by the District prior to January 1, 2022, shall receive a one (1) time bonus in the amount of 6% of their annual salary as of the date of ratification of this Agreement. Adult Learning Center teachers employed and active at the time of ratification will receive a one-time bonus in the amount of $500.00.

(b)   Teachers that retired between September 1, 2019 and ratification shall receive a one-time payment in the amount of $500.00 if he /she retired prior to September 1, 2020, $1,000 if he/she retired between September 2, 2020 and ratification of this agreement.

“Salary” Only

July 2022-2023 (or date of ratification), 6% or 4.9% if step 16 removed
July 2023-2024, 6%.
July 2024-2025, 4% or 2.94% (If new Step 16 removed)

Healthcare

Teachers Would Pay

• July 2022, 13%
• July 2023, 14%
• July 2024, 15%

Retirees

Teachers hired after July 2023- No Healthcare after retirement

Some Other Proposals

• School Year: 42 to 43 weeks
• Teaching Schedule-District can change starting and ending times of school-must be less than an hour and teacher must be notified by January 1 of the “Change year” e.g. January 2023 for 2023-2024 school year.

Yes, there are more. Yes, these are insults.

Stay tuned.

Some Upcoming Key Dates

• The appointment of the PERB Fact-Finder
• The Beginning of Fact-Finding-both sides make presentations over one or more days
• The Fact-Finder releases report
• Both sides accept or reject parts of the Fact Finder’s Recommendations
• School Board Meetings
• September 2, 2022 Teacher set up day
• September 6, 2022 Classes Resume
  

We are preparing actions- picketing at the beginning of Fact-Finding the houses of the Superintendent, Board Members, and Board of Education meeting, etc,

Media coverage, release of statistics- Buffalo teachers vs. all other teachers, teacher resignations (over 120) from the District to go to other Districts, etc.

In addition, we, with NYSUT, will be prepared with a financial analysis that will show that the District now and in the future can and must provide Buffalo teachers with a contract that reflects their dedication to their students and doesn’t treat them as inferior to their colleagues in other districts.

Stay Tuned.

Illegal Job Actions
As you have previously been advised, a withholding of services i.e., of teachers saying they aren’t going to coach, not going to be a club advisor etc. is and has been found to be a strike.

Indeed, as reported to you, teachers who witnessed a terrible fight after school and then met to console each other were charged with a strike when some called in sick the next day, even though the Delegate Chair had advised the teachers in writing to only call in sick if they were ill. The Buffalo Teachers Federation also spoke with the Delegate Chair to caution her. She took immediate appropriate action.

The District charged the teachers with a strike. A hearing was held, they were found guilty by PERB and just recently by a court of being on strike. Please be careful.

As per today’s Buffalo News Article, even though this was an horrendous and dangerous confrontation, The District showed its contempt, vindictiveness and callousness toward teachers. “The District is pleased with the decision of the Appellate Division and expects the BTF to abide by the law in the future regarding the prohibition of public sector labor strikes,”said Nathaniel Kuzma, General Counsel for the Buffalo Public Schools. Note: He is also the Board’s Chief Negotiator.

Some in the District are looking for any way to divide us. They will try to set teacher against teacher and teachers against the BTF by using any talk or information against the BTF. That has never and will never work. We are Buffalo teachers.

Our solidarity is our bond.

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          July 28, 2022

Subject:     Oppressive Heat

• Schools
• Dates
• Rooms
• Your Name (will not be used without your permission)
• Personal Email Address

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          July 29, 2022

Subject:     Health Insurance

The article in the Buffalo News has created confusion and concern. My complete quote was not printed.

The District is attempting to remove retiree healthcare for teachers that are “hired after July 1, 2022”.

"We will not allow and they can not eliminate retiree healthcare for teachers who have retired. Retired teachers will be entitled to receive the same healthcare benefits as those they were entitled to upon retirement,” Article XXVI (2) (p73).

The Contract is on our website, http://www.btfny.org.

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          August 9, 2022

Subject:    Updates - August 9, 2022

Negotiations

Yes, we are still awaiting the appointment of a PERB Fact-Finder. We believe it is going to be soon. We are ready. Today we continued interviews with media (watch WUTV 29) Re: Teacher shortage and Buffalo teachers leaving, unacceptable salaries, benefits, working conditions, etc. The District says it has over one hundred openings. We know over one hundred twenty teachers resigned plus over one hundred have retired.

We will be contacting Delegate Chairs regarding picking up signs and who their Executive Committee contact is.

• Media buys are also in progress
• As per our last email, our action plan is being based on events .i.e. naming of Fact-Finder, release of Fact-Finder recommendations
• Position of Buffalo Teachers Federation and District regarding Fact-Finder’s recommendations
• Resumption of negotiations

The District delays of negotiations, will not, as they wish, make us rush into an unacceptable contract. We will stand firm and take the actions necessary to have a contract that will, as with other Districts, reward your dedication and commitment to our students.

Francis Pordum (Click Here)

He was a great friend and supporter of ours. In case you missed it, here is a more complete view of his life and accomplishments. There were many, many more.

To allow for our office staff to attend Fran’s funeral service, the Buffalo Teachers Federation office will open at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, August 10, 2022.

Thank you for your understanding.

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          August 12, 2022

Subject:    Updates - August 12, 2022

Negotiations

• We have corresponded with PERB for a timeline for the appointment of a Fact-Finder for our negotiations. We had previously been advised that there are similar delays across N.Y.S due to the volume of issues involving PERB. We will advise you as soon as we receive a response.
• Fact-Finding

As per previous emails that some might not have received, we can refuse to participate in Fact-Finding; however, the District will then participate without our making a presentation.

The Fact-Finder’s recommendation, which will be made public, will then obviously not be favorable to us or based on our input.

We have met with the BTF action committee and BTF Executive Committee and outlined of timeline of actions. As you know, timing is critical. Once again, the important dates are as follows:

I.    The naming of the Fact-Finder

a)   Superintendent, Board members and Media sent:

*    Contrasts - Buffalo teachers’ salaries, steps, Life-time earnings with Big 5 and local districts, Cobra etc.
*    Buffalo/Nationwide Teacher shortage
*    Health care/Teaching conditions

Note: according to NYSUT re: our last media buy:

*    Buffalo News views 114,000
*    Social media (politicians etc) 101,000

b)   Rally -- school Board meeting. If none scheduled, rally at City Hall

II.   Fact-Finding Begins

PERB sets guidelines
Eg. What can be released, etc.

III.  Fact-Finder’s report Issued

*  Report is made public
*  BTF takes position -- negotiating team, Executive Committee, Council of Delegates vote based on Teachers’ input.
*  Rally - Board Meeting
*  Negotiations Resume
*  Picketing of Superintendent and Board Members’ houses (timing here important)-we will see what District’s Position on Fact-Finder’s report is and statements made as negotiations resume.
*  More media

IV.  More dates/action

*  Teacher set-up day and first day (September 2nd & 6th ) Teachers picket together in front of school and enter together.
*  (Signs will be distributed by next week)
*  Teachers continue to picket and enter together.

Note: as you know we have already done an interview on WUTV 29. We will be doing an interview on WIVB on Monday August 15, 2022.

Why is the District delaying Negotiations and submitting divisive proposals? To set teacher against teacher and teachers against BTF. That has never and will never work.

Regardless of the District’s divisive tactics, we are and will remain united.

THANK YOU MATT KIBLER

Today is Matt Kibler’s last day as one of our BTF/NYSUT Labor Relations Specialists. He is moving on to represent colleges in the area. Boy, are they lucky.

Matt has been and is a tireless advocate and fighter for educators as those of you who have worked with him know. We know, if needed, he will still be there for us.

On behalf of us all, thank you. We wish you all the best.

WELCOME, DEVON GAWLEY
While Matt Kibler will be very, very difficult to replace, we are very fortunate that Devon Gawley has agreed to accept the LRS position at BTF. After interviewing her, it was clear that she would be a great addition to our team. In addition to being knowledgeable about the BTF, Labor Law, she asked questions relating to the BTF structure, how we determine teacher concerns, etc. In short, she was very interested in working with and for Buffalo teachers.

In her own words, “I am highly motivated to advocate on behalf of each member of the BTF. I am a graduate of SUNY Geneseo and University of Buffalo School of Law. As an LRS, I look forward to addressing your questions and concerns. Please reach out to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and (716) 881-5400.”

I am sure you will agree that she is a great addition to our team.