MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          August 16, 2022

Subject:    Updates - August 16, 2022

Negotiations

• We are awaiting a response from PERB relating to our correspondence relating to the timeline for the appointment of a Fact-Finder.
• We have been informed that there may be a significant increase in education funding that was not anticipated. Funding that we (BTF/NYSUT/NEA/AFT) were instrumental in securing. It is apparently the results of factoring in a COLA/Inflation factor.

Obviously, it is in our interest to determine if this is correct. We should have that information later this week.

• We have been seeing good media coverage of the teacher shortage. The latest being Sunday in The Buffalo News.
• My interview with Channel 4 is to air tonight (August 16, 2022).

For those who have texted that we should go on strike now and want to know what happens to us if we do:

• The current contract that we are working under is null & void. It is in effect until a new one is in place or a strike takes place. This puts the District in a better negotiating position
• Teachers are docked two (2) days’ pay for each day on strike.
• The BTF/NYSUT/NEA/AFT lose the ability to collect dues for as long as a court decides
• The BTF is fined heavily

Yes, we have gone on strike before

Yes, I have no concern about going to jail again for calling a strike.

A strike is an action taken when there is little or no hope for a settlement.

We are not there yet.

Why is the District delaying negotiations and submitting divisive proposals? To set teacher against teacher and teachers against BTF. That has never worked. Regardless of the District’s divisive tactics, we are and will remain united.

District Demand for Personal "Dependent Eligibility Verification"

We have filed a grievance on this and requested a legal opinion from NYSUT. (Tax forms, Birth Certificate to a third party, etc.)!?

New Labor Relation Specialist

New LRS - Staff Assignment  Click Here 

In Memory of Edie LeWin

Click Here for information

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          August 17, 2022

Subject:    Appointment of Fact-Finder

We received correspondence today naming a Fact Finder for our negotiations. His name is Robert J Reden.

The correspondence states “May we remind you that the Fact Finder is limited to THREE days including hearings and time used for report writing and research unless additional time is expressly authorized by the Director of Conciliation. Because of these limits, you should place before the fact finder only those issues of high priority which can be reasonably handled in a limited time.”

We will arrange for a start date ASAP.

Stay Tuned.

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          August 18, 2022

Subject:    Updates

Negotiations

• Remember the Fact-Finder’s report is not binding on either side. Once it is released, each side will take a position on its contents and negotiations will resume. It will be made public.
• As per our time-line, now that the Fact-Finder has been named, we will be sending the Superintendent and Board of Education data on Buffalo Teachers/Erie County Teachers (salaries/steps/lifetime earnings, etc.)
• We have sent the Fact-Finder the materials he requested. We will also have a preliminary virtual/phone conference with him next week as per his request.
• Other actions – rally, etc. being planned.

Stay tuned.

School Safety - Survey

The school Safety Report has been sent to the Superintendent and the Board and is being sent to you as per our correspondence to you. It will also be released to the media.

Letter to Dr Tonja M. Williams, Superintendent, BPS (Click Here)

School Safety Concerns Survey Results (Click Here)

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          August 22, 2022

Subject:    Updates

Negotiations

As per our August 12, 2022 email (Click Here), our actions will be timed to achieve the maximum impact - too soon is too often forgotten losing its impact.

Now that the Fact-Finder has been named -

• The Superintendent and Board have been sent the attached correspondence (Click Here) and Comparison (Click Here)
• Delegate Chairs have been notified of the availability of signs with times to pick them up for solidarity rallies.
• The above correspondence has been sent to all media.

We will not wait until the next Board meetings (September 7 work session/September 21 regular meeting). We will follow our schedule.

We are scheduling a solidarity rally for Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at City Hall at 4:00 pm. Signs will be available at the event. Let us show everyone we are united and strong in our demand for a contract that, as in other districts reflects our dedication to our students. We will begin by marching in front of City Hall and then circling it.

• We will be working with NYSUT for more media coverage.
• The Fact-Finder has set up a preliminary meeting for Thursday, August 25, 2022 to discuss timelines, etc. We will schedule said dates ASAP. We are ready.

Once again, why is the Board using every means to delay negotiations, even though we have taken legal action against them - to set teachers against teachers and the BTF.

Unfortunately, they believe they are succeeding in doing just that to weaken our position at the negotiating table. Some in the District are misusing Facebook posts to try to pressure BTF into a quick contract. That will not happen. Our solidarity in the face of such attempts will not succeed. Teachers will not be used to divide and conquer .. not now, not ever.

Political Action Committee Endorsements (Click Here)

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          August 23, 2022

Subject:    Solidarity Rally

As discussed, the timing of our solidarity rally provides short notice; however, the date was picked to reflect the strategic timeline we establish. It was also picked since there is no rain forecasted for Wednesday, August 24, 2022. While we may have a smaller number of participants, we will be making a timely statement in coordination with our letter to the Superintendent and Board. (Superintendent Letter) & (Comparison)

Yes, as always you may bring a member of your family. Yes, there will more solidarity rallies.

Yes, we know you will ensure that all your colleagues know about our solidarity rally and attend. Let’s do it!!

Thank you to all the Delegates Chairs and school representatives who have already scheduled a time to pick up signs for their school. There will be additional signs available at the solidarity rally.

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          August 25, 2022

Subject:    October??!! Correspondence to Superintendent

The following is a correspondence to Dr. Tonja Williams, Superintendent, BPS

"Today during the virtual meeting with the Fact-Finder, we were informed by Nathaniel Kuzma that the District could not be ready to submit documents for Fact-Finding until October! October! We have been in negotiations for over three (3) years and have known for months, that as you requested, we would be going into fact-finding and you don’t have documentation for your positions!? We indicated we are ready to proceed as soon as possible. We will be submitting our proposals and documentation to the fact-finder next week.

The Fact-Finder has therefore set the following dates – written submissions October 7, clarifying materials October 21, a hearing tentatively scheduled for December 13, 2022.

Also, you know we have taken legal actions against the District with PERB.

• September 23, 2019-District refusal to negotiate April 2019-August 2019
• November 7, 2019-Bad Faith negotiations – Regressive Bargaining
• June 2022 Bargaining in bad faith

The great turnout yesterday of close to three hundred (300) teachers picketing with only two (2) days' notice showing their anger should have sent a message to the District … They are angry and insulted by the District’s delays and insulting contract offers.

Since you and some Board members have stated you desire to reach a contract settlement, we suggest that we set a date to resume negotiations. The Fact-Finder has indicated he is willing to mediate. The only District salary offer on the table is your April 28, 2022 insult.

• No salary increase for the first year of the new contract (2019-2020).
• No retroactive payment for teachers who retired prior to the ratification of a new contract.
• To increase the number of weeks teachers must work from forty-two (42) to forty-four (44) weeks.
• That teachers required to work after the forty-two (42) week maximum will not be paid. Will only receive 1/200 after the forty-fourth week.
• To increase the hours of special area teachers teaching both elementary and secondary students from two hundred forty (240) minutes to two hundred fifty-five (255).
• That teachers pay fifteen percent (15%) toward their health care. Note: We are informed the District’s healthcare costs went down.

And, your gracious salary offer for Buffalo teachers:

• 2019-2020 - 0% salary increase
• 2020-2021- only “Teachers employed by the District at the end of the 2020-2021 school year, who continue to be employed by the District as of the ratification of this Agreement shall receive a one (1) time bonus in the amount of 5% of their annual salary as of the date of ratification of this Agreement.”·
  2021-2022- Effective upon ratification of this Agreement, teacher and psychologist salaries shall be increased by 4%. (4%)
• 2022-2023 - (0%)
• 2023-2024 - Effective July 1, 2023, teacher and psychologist salaries shall be increased 5%, or 3.94% (5% or 3.94%) if the parties agree to include a form of step compression.
• 2024-2025 - Effective July 1, 2024, teacher and psychologist salaries shall be increased 2.5%
• 2025-2026 - Effective July 1, 2025, teacher and psychologist salaries shall be increased by 4 % or 2.94% if the parties agree to include a form of step compression. (4% or 2.94 %)

We look forward to working with you to provide Buffalo teachers with a contract that reflects their dedication to our students and that reflects how other districts have provided for their teachers."

cc: All Buffalo Teachers