MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   BTF Executive Committee and Council of Delegates

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          October 31, 2022

Subject:    November Executive Committee and Council of Delegates Meeting Date Change

We have had numerous requests to change the November meeting date because the previous date was scheduled to be the day before Veterans Day.

Both the November Executive Committee and Council of Delegates meetings will now be held at the Grapevine Banquet Hall on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH.

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          November 29, 2022

Subject:    Negotiations / Vote of No Confidence

Vote of No Confidence for the Superintendent and Board of Education
As per our November 20, 2022 correspondence,

“Our next scheduled date for negotiations is Monday, November 28, 2022. If there is no significant movement made, there will be a vote of No Confidence for the Superintendent and Board of Education on Tuesday, November 29, 2022.”

There was “no significant movement made” by the Board’s negotiating team that included Superintendent Tonja M. Williams. The “offer” is also on behalf of the Board.

This is some of what the Superintendent and Board presented to us and apparently believe reflects the dedication and commitment of Buffalo teachers and the needs of our students.

• The District refuses to consider our proposal to provide desperately-needed services for our students by providing 250-1 caseloads for our School Counselors, School Social Workers, Psychologists and Attendance teachers.
• Instead of salary increases for 2019-2020, 2020-2021, 2021-2022, the District proposed a one shot bonus only for teachers hired prior to January 1, 2022. Note – Since this is a “bonus” it will not count towards retirement. Also, according to our accountants, the IRS requires that bonuses or any supplemental pay be subject to a 22% withholding rate instead of the employees’ regular withholding rate.

                     2022-2023   8% or 7% if Step 15 Removed
                     2023-2024   6% or 5% if Step 15 Removed            
                     2024-2025   4% or 3% is Step 15 Removed

• Teachers would pay 13% towards healthcare - an increase of $668 for single ($600 to $1,268) and an increase of $1,294 for family ($1,500 to $2,794). Even though the District’s healthcare costs have remained the same for three (3) years!
• Increase the number of weeks required from 42 weeks to 43 weeks.
• Increase the load for special area teachers whose assignment includes contact with elementary students from 240 minutes to 255 minutes, e.g. art, music, physical education, foreign language.
• Instead of the District providing one (1) indemnity and three (3) HMO type plans, the District will provide one (1) indemnity and one (1) POS plan.
• Instead of teachers having the “option of participating in one of the four (4) Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in effect at the time of ratification”, “teachers will have the option of participating in one (1) of the two (2) plans in effect 30 days after ratification”.
• No retiree healthcare for teachers hired after July 1, 2023.
• Teachers who retire after ratification must enroll in “a District defined Medicare Advantage Plan when Medicare eligible”.
• Retired teachers’ healthcare payments will be the same percentage toward premium as when they were active teachers.

 FYI – The BTF salary proposal is:
      (1)  Effective 07/01/2019 the base teacher’s salary, BS Step 1, shall be increased as follows:
      (2)  2019-2020      8%      Remove Step 1
            2020-2021      8%      Remove New Step 1
            2021-2022      8%      Remove New Step 1
            2022-2023      8% + COLA   Remove New Step 1
            2023-2024      8% + COLA   Remove New Step 1
            2024-2025      8% + COLA   Remove New Step 1
            2025-2026      8% + COLA   Remove New Step 1

                COLA – See BTF 50

Each Step on the Salary Schedule, each column across the Salary Schedule, and all other teachers’ compensation shall be increased proportionately.

Note: Increments are based on Step 1. Each time Step 1 is increased by removal, increments are also increased.

Our next negotiations with the District is scheduled for Thursday, December 8, 2022.

The BTF/District meeting with the Fact-Finder to answer questions he may have is scheduled for December 13, 2022 at 10:00 am. It will be in-person at City Hall.

He will, after reviewing testimony, issue his recommendations for a settlement.

They are not binding on either side and will be made public.

(Please vote by using the link sent in the email.)

Please have your votes in by Sunday, December 4th at 11:59 pm.

(Note: Another vote will be held following our next negotiating session on December 8, 2022)

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          November 7, 2022

Subject:    Negotiations Update

As scheduled, today we met with the District’s negotiating team, responded to and clarified the proposals.

We will meet again on November 9, 21, and 28 while we await word from the Fact-Finder as to whether there needs to be a further meeting with him before he issues his report.

While we still are apart on issues, the meeting was positive.

We will keep you up-to-date.

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          November 9, 2022

Subject:    Negotiations

We received notification at 8:37 a.m. today (November 9, 2022) that “the District is cancelling negotiations today.”

The District needed more time to cost out and analyze proposals discussed on Monday, November 7, 2022. They expect to have this completed for the next session on November 21, 2022.

First, they had to wait until 8:37 a.m. today to cancel? They couldn’t have notified us on Monday or Tuesday (they have our email and personal phone numbers)?

In addition, there were issues on which there was apparent agreement and others which could have been discussed and agreed upon.

We ask that all schools picket outside their schools tomorrow morning to show their anger.

We will also have our next picket/rally before the next Board meeting on Wednesday, November 16, 2022.

More information will follow.

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          November 14, 2022

Subject:    Updates – November 14, 2022

Negotiations
The Superintendent contacted us in reference to the cancelled negotiations to advise us that the District is committed to continuing negotiations and that the only reason for the cancelation was the short time between Monday and Wednesday as a result of being off on Tuesday.

We will see when we resume negotiations on November 21, 2022.

If progress is not satisfactory, there will be a no confidence vote in the Superintendent and Board on Tuesday, November 22, 2022.

As you were advised, we will be picketing the next Board meeting. I will be addressing the Board on your behalf.

   DATE:      Wednesday, November 16, 2022
   TIME:      4:00 – 5:00 PM (The Board Meeting starts at 5:30)
   PLACE:   Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts (BPS #192)
                  450 Masten Ave, Buffalo, 14209 (Off East Ferry)

Fact Finding
The Fact-Finder has our and the Board’s submissions. He has advised us that he will schedule a meeting if he needs clarification from either party. If not, he will issue his recommendations for a settlement. They are not binding on either side.

We have provided documentation about the great disparities in salaries, steps, lifetime impacts, District stagnant healthcare costs (etc.)… and an analysis of the District’s excellent financial position.

His report/recommendations will be made public.

Be Careful
As per our attorneys request, 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. 

Additional Picket Signs
We have received the “A NEW CONTRACT NOW” signs. If you would like to pick some up, please email Hazel (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) stating how many signs you will need and arrange a pick-up date and time. 

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          November 20, 2022 

Subject:    Snow Days - Updates

Negotiations
Since the schools and central office are closed tomorrow, November 21, 2022, negotiations will not take place.

Our next scheduled date for negotiations is Monday, November 28, 2022.

If there is no significant movement made, there will be a vote of No Confidence for the Superintendent and Board of Education on Tuesday, November 29, 2022.

Next, we will be planning the picketing of the Superintendent’s and Board members homes.

Snow Days
There are six (6) snow days built into the calendar.

We may also be able to use what are call Superintendent’s Days.

 
Thanksgiving Food Drive
Schools who have collected Food for our Food Drive can bring them to BTF Headquarters on Tuesday, November 22, 2022.

Thank you.