MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          September 19, 2022

Subject:    Negotiations/Threats - Correspondence to Superintendent Williams and the Board of Education

Your authorization of the enclosed threat (Click Here), is but another example of insulting, pathetic and detrimental actions.

Based on the enclosed from the WBEN website (Click Here) you had to write this correspondence?!

When teachers read this correspondence (that you authorized), they will be even more angry with you than they are now in response to your:

• delays in negotiations (see and read our IPs against you)
• after asking for Fact-Finding and a Fact-Finder is appointed in August, you can not participate until into October
• insulting and demeaning proposals

So much for trust and working together to achieve a contract that we all believe reflects the dedication and commitment of Buffalo teachers to their students.

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          September 23, 2022

Subject:    Updates

Negotiations
In spite of a threat of severe thunderstorms, once again, Buffalo teachers, in one of our largest solidarity rallies, showed the Superintendent, Board and public that Buffalo teachers are united, strong and angry.

Thank you to those who marched and those who stayed and walked out together after I addressed the Superintendent and Board on your behalf. You sent a very strong message.

While we have not received a copy of a proposal, we understand that something was shown at the Board meeting.

We will advise you after we receive a copy.

No Confidence Vote
As per my statement to the teachers at our Solidarity Rally, the Superintendent and Board, here is a copy of the resolution passed unanimously by the Executive Committee and Council of Delegates (Click Here).

Be Careful What You Say and Write
We and our attorneys are once again asking that all teachers be careful of what you say and communicate, as you could inadvertently cause harm to yourself and your colleagues.

You should know that teachers at a Buffalo school, who, after violent fights after school and threats that some outsiders would come back the next day and kill people, 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, at the BTF’s request, advised the teachers via email that night that they might have to present a doctor’s note and that there should be no group actions. Even though, they were charged with striking, and lost 2 days pay for the day they were absent. Dues were withheld from all teachers at the school for four (4) months. Yes, the courts affirmed this.

As per our attorneys, under New York State law, strikes by public school teachers are illegal. Employees and unions can suffer severe consequences for engaging in a strike. As per New York State law, BTF cannot lawfully authorize, approve, condone, support or recommend a strike.

Loose actions or even talk about a strike can have serious consequences for both individual members and the bargaining unit as a whole.

The Taylor Law mandates that a public employer apply for an injunction in state supreme court "where it appears that public employees or an employee organization threaten or about to do, or are doing" a strike. And that section states that where there is non-compliance with a subsequently issued injunction that the public employer must apply for contempt of court against the violators.

Contempt of court violations can result in substantial fines of thousands of dollars and imprisonment for violators.

There are additional serious consequences.

Firstly, a bargaining unit that strikes loses its Triborough rights --- that is, a school district is no longer required to continue the terms of an expired collective bargaining agreement. That means it could be possible that the Buffalo Public Schools would be able to impose its terms on our bargaining unit, the worst possible consequence.

For an individual, the Taylor Law requires that deductions equaling twice the employee's daily pay be taken by his or her employer for each day or partial day that the employee is on strike. While an employee can challenge this 2-for-1 pay penalty, the law provides that the hearing officer in that situation is appointed and paid for by the employer, essentially a kangaroo court.

Additionally, an employee can be disciplined, including the penalty of termination, for such conduct like any other alleged misconduct.

And lastly, unions that participate, condone or even fail to prevent in certain circumstances a strike, can have their dues deduction privileges suspended or revoked.

Again, given the serious consequences to the individual employee(s) and the bargaining unit, loose talk or action that might involve a strike should not be undertaken.

We will keep you informed.

Extended Pay Plan
Several teachers have called the BTF today to say that their checks did not reflect the changes they requested to their Extended Pay Plan deductions. The BTF sent all changes to the payroll office in August. Apparently, many deductions were not changed. We are working with the payroll office to resolve this issue and expect all changes to be made by the next payroll.

School Safety
Please complete the school safety survey (See Email for Survey Link) that was sent to you. We know you are very busy; however, please have your survey to us by Monday, September 26, 2022.

In this way we can have the issues addressed.

As always, we will continue such surveys to see is more problems occur and the reported ones have been corrected.

Thank you.

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          September 26, 2022

Subject:    Latest BTF Salary/Compensation Proposal

Last BTF Salary Proposal
As per the request of teachers, attached, please find a copy of the BTF Salary/Compensation proposals submitted to the District on May 6, 2022 (Please Refer to BTF Email Sent on September 26).

The Superintendent’s and Board’s team refused to present a salary/compensation counter-proposal to our May 6, 2022 salary/compensation proposal at our June 6, 2022 negotiations session.

They didn’t like the expense of our proposal. We don’t like the expense of everything around us that has gone up except our salaries!

Some other issues included are:

• Increased funding for the Supplemental Benefits Fund.
• Correcting serious problems at the Adult Learning Center.
• Caseload issues for Guidance Counselors, Psychologists, School Social Workers, Attendance teachers to provide more services for students.
• Increase waiver incentive for teachers who declined district healthcare coverage. (as long as you are covered elsewhere)
• Providing Family Medical Leave Act coverage.

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          September 29, 2022

Subject:    Updates

Negotiations

• As a result of the Fact-Finder increasing what he would like submitted on October 7, 2022, we have updated our submission and will resend it to him.
• We have advised the District that we are prepared to resume negotiations before submissions are made and after.
• In response to the concern raised that we are “fear-mongering” by continuing to advise teachers to be careful of what you say, our attorneys have asked us to continue to advise you of this as they are very concerned about what has and can happen.
• For those who expressed concern that the BTF salary/compensation package was being viewed as excessive:
  • It was lowered from our first presentation.
  • It shows just how far behind other districts we are.
  • It is still less than Buffalo teachers deserve.
  • I will never be afraid to stand up for what Buffalo teachers deserve… Never.

Picketing at Schools
District-wide picketing at schools was set for September 2, 2022 (set-up day) and Friday, September 9, 2022.

District-wide school picketing is suggested for days of Board meetings or other announced days.

• Regular meetings (Currently Scheduled)
  Wednesdays - October 19, November 16, December 21, 2022
  Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts
  5:30 pm
• We will continue our Solidarity Day on Fridays by wearing the BTF logo

Executive Committee Vacancy
There is one opening as a result of a retirement, Secondary 7-12.

If interested, send a resume to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

A recommendation will be made at the next Council of Delegates meeting, October 13, 2022.

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          September 30, 2022

Subject:    Negotiations Updates

The District has responded to our request for dates to continue negotiations during the fact-finding process.

They suggested October 5 or October 7, 2022, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

We have suggested meeting on both dates and times.

If the Fact-Finder is available, he is invited to attend. If not, we will proceed without him.

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          October 5, 2022

Subject:    Negotiations Updates 10.5.22

Negotiations
The Fact-Finder has agreed to meet as a mediator on Friday, October 7, 2022 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. We will be meeting virtually since he is out of the country.

We have suggested beginning with some important issues that have been discussed and of which there was some indication of possible agreement or the need for more information. This will enable us to then concentrate on critical issues such as salaries and benefits.

We have indicated we are also willing to discuss the District’s last “offer”.

As a result of the Fact-Finder scheduling October 7, 2022 (the original date for fact-finding submissions) for negotiations, the date for fact-finding submissions has been changed to October 14, 2022.
We will update you after we meet.

Healthcare for Retirees

A response to some questions:

• Healthcare for retirees became effective July 1, 1989.
• The District has tried to remove it from the contract since 1989.
• Buffalo teachers have refused to remove healthcare since 1989.
• Retirees pay what they were required to pay at their time of retirement.
• Even if healthcare for retirees were to end, any savings would not occur for fifteen (15), twenty (20) or thirty (30) years, when any newly hired teachers would retire. This would not have an impact during the duration of the contract we are currently negotiating.

If healthcare for retirees had been removed from the contract previously, many teachers covered today would not have healthcare when they retire.

Vote of No Confidence
Based upon negotiations on Friday, October 7, 2022, teachers will be notified if a vote of no confidence in the Superintendent and Board will take place on Tuesday, October 11, 2022.

PR:su