MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          October 7, 2022

Subject:    Negotiations Updates - October 7, 2022

Negotiations
With the Superintendent present, we made sufficient progress to delay a vote of no confidence in the Superintendent and Board.

Since there will be meetings on specific issues next week and a full in-person negotiating session next Friday, October 14, 2022, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, the vote of no confidence is, if necessary, scheduled for Monday, October 24, 2022.

The Buffalo News “Editorial”
A rebuttal has been submitted to the “News’” wrong, one-sided and detrimental “editorial” (Click Here).

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          October 12, 2022

Subject:    Updates - October 12, 2022

Negotiations
As per our Friday, October 7, 2022 email, there was sufficient progress with the Superintendent present at our negotiations that we are postponing a possible Vote of No Confidence in the Superintendent and Board until October 24, 2022.

We have meetings on issues this week and a negotiations session is scheduled for Friday, October 14, 2022.

In case, we are preparing to picket the Superintendent and Board members’ houses if it becomes necessary. Hopefully, it won’t.

Our next all member picket will be before the next Board Meeting on Wednesday, October 19th.

Date: October 19, 2022
Time: 4:00 p.m. - The Board meeting starts at 5:30
Where: BAVPA 

More details to come as negotiations proceed.

Healthcare for Future Retirees
Those who are contacting others regarding retiree healthcare for future teachers should know that the District has seen these and have now moved it up in priorities.

While you may not realize it, you are undermining our negotiations.

Surprise – The Buffalo News printed our submission (with changes). (Click Here)

School Schedule Changes
In response to teachers’ and parents’ inquiries, the District is in the process of sending the proposed schedule changes for each school to the staff and parents at the schools. Once again, any MOU has to be voted on by the Executive Committee, Council of Delegates and teachers.

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          October 18, 2022

Subject:    Updates - October 18, 2022

Negotiations
We have received a copy of the District’s submission to the Fact-Finder. We and our colleagues at NYSUT are reviewing it.

Since the submission date was changed from October 7 to October 14, 2022, the date the Fact-Finder has set for the submission of rebuttals and clarifying materials has been moved from October 21 to October 28, 2022.

As per our last email:

• Our next negotiating session with the District will be on October 25, 2022.
• Individual small group meetings will be scheduled between now and October 28.
• We will be picketing before the next Board meeting.

Since we are at a sensitive stage in negotiations, I will address the Board. We will ask no other teachers to speak at the meeting.

Date: October 19, 2022
Time: 4:00 – 5:00 pm - Board Meeting Starts at 5:30 pm
Where: Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts

We will not have all teachers leave after I speak. If some want to remain that is your choice.

Our Action Committee will be working with teachers to speak at the next meeting, November 16, 2022. If you would like to speak at that meeting, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. She will put you in contact with a member of the BTF Action Committee.

Bell-Time MOU
As per requests, we have lengthened the time to respond to our Transportation/Bell-Time MOU survey to Thursday, October 20 at midnight. We will report the results on Friday, October 21, 2022.

For those who asked why we are having a vote on the MOU that was submitted to us, the answer is, that is what, in answer to requests, we advised you we would do, i.e. emails dated October 14, 2022 (Click Here), October 12, 2022 (Click Here) and at our Council of Delegates meeting on September 22, 2022 (Click Here).

Bennett High School, Section VI Attack
What was done to the students and coach at Bennett is unacceptable (Buffalo News Article Click Here, BTF Press Release Click Here)

The student, but for the paperwork, is qualified to play football at Bennett.

We have been informed that all other transfers had paperwork submitted on their behalf. No one thought an eighth grade student would have played JV football. Therefore, no paperwork was submitted.

For this, the punishment is to:

• Force the forfeiture of 6 games
• Punish all the students – especially the student who transferred
• Deprive the members of the team of the individual awards they would have received, since the games were forfeited
• Punish a coach who has devoted his career to his students

This injustice can not be allowed to prevail.

We will be working with those who, like many, are willing to fight this.

If you would like to sign a petition against this injustice and harmful action Click Here.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
The Buffalo Teachers Federation is proud to once again be participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. (Click Here)

Please help us beat last year’s donation by collecting, fundraising and joining Team BTF! Every Penny Counts.

Sign up or donate by clicking or going to:

https://secure.acsevents.org/site/STR?fr_id=103203&pg=personal&px=33920090

BTF Breast Cancer T-Shirts will be available for participants. To get yours, contact the Becky Pordum at the BTF (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          October 14, 2022

Subject:    Negotiations Update – October 14, 2022 / School Safety Survey

Negotiations
At today’s meeting, we clarified issues.

The District also agreed to present a comprehensive salary/benefits proposal at our next scheduled meeting on October 25, 2022.

We will therefore reschedule our no confidence vote from October 24, 2022 to October 26, 2022.

Individual subject meetings have also been scheduled.

Executive Committee / Council of Delegates Vote
The Executive Committee and Council of Delegates voted unanimously to approve the following motion.

MOVED: That the Buffalo Teachers Federation Executive Committee is authorized to take all actions necessary to provide Buffalo teachers with a contract that reflects their dedication and commitment to their students as do those contracts in other school districts.

MOVED: Philip Rumore
SECOND: Rebecca Pordum

School Safety Survey Results
Attached, please find a copy of the BTF School Safety Survey. Copies were also sent to the Superintendent and Board. (Click Here)

We will be doing these often to ensure corrections are made and are aware of any new issues.

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          October 21, 2022

Subject:    October 21, 2022 Updates

Transportation/Bell Time MOU Vote
The vote on the District’s Transportation/Bell-Time MOU that was conducted from October 14, 2022 to October 20, 2022 is as follows:

Correspondence has been sent to the Superintendent and Board advising them of the results (Click Here).

BTF Office Hours – Monday, October 24, 2022
In order to attend the funeral service of the father of one of our staff, the BTF office will open at 1:00 pm on Monday, October 24. 2022.

Thank you for your consideration.

If there is an emergency, you can reach your LRS via their email address. (Click Here)

Phone Banks
Election Day is approaching and it is important that we work together to get out the vote for our endorsed candidates. Please join us to make phone calls on Wednesday, October 26th at the Buffalo Teachers Federation office (271 Porter Ave) from 5:30 – 7:30 P.M. Phones and chrome books will be provided. If you are able to join us, please contact Joe at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Buffalo Sabres Tickets
The Buffalo Sabres are offering special discount tickets to NYSUT members for upcoming home games!
The link for the ticket offer is http://fevo.me/nysutsabres.

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          October 25, 2022

Subject:    No Confidence Vote

Since there was positive movement with the Superintendent present at negotiations today, the vote of no confidence scheduled for today is rescheduled to Thursday, November 10, 2022, or sooner if necessary. Our next negotiations session, at which time we will present our counter proposals, is November 7, 2022. The next negotiations date after that is November 9, 2022.

Their proposals are still not acceptable; however, there was positive movement.

Stay tuned.

PR:su