News, Alerts & Events

Benefits Overview


 

The Buffalo Teachers Federation and the Supplemental Benefit Fund offers employees a variety of benefit options:

Dealth Benefit Policy
Sick Leave Bank
Extended Pay Plan

Information on any of the above can be found by clicking on the links.
 

For information on your Major Medical Coverage, please contact Human Resources at (716) 816-3754 or (716) 816-3755.


2024 Union Dues 


Dues deductions will be calculated for twenty one (21) pay periods. Please see the complete full-time and part-time breakdowns below.

 
                   
Full Time
Local, State and National Total

$974.12

                   
  January 2024 to June 2024                            $ 648.76
      ($46.34 per pay period x 14 pay periods )
                   
  September 2024 to December 2024   $ 325.36
  ($46.48 per pay period x 7 pay periods)
                   
Full Time Dues Breakdown
                   BTF     $ 320.39  
        NYSUT/NEA/AFT $ 653.73
 
               
 

 
Part Time
Local, State and National Total

$487.06

                   
  January 2024 to June 2024                            $ 324.38
      ($23.17 per pay period x 14 pay periods )
                   
  September 2023 to December 2023   $ 162.68
  ($23.24 per pay period x 7 pay periods)
                   
Part Time Dues Breakdown
                   BTF     $ 160.20  
        NYSUT/NEA/AFT   $ 326.86  
               
 

                   
Adult Learning Center (ALC)
Local, State and National Total

$439.39

                   
  January 2024 to June 2024                            $ 292.60
      ($20.90 per pay period x 14 pay periods )
                   
  September 2024 to December 2024   $ 146.79
  ($20.97 per pay period x 7 pay periods)
                   
ALC Dues Breakdown
                   BTF     $ 112.53  
        NYSUT/NEA/AFT   $ 326.86
 
               

Insurance Waiver Incentive  


As per Article XXVI (1), (5) (a) and (b), the Buffalo School District shall offer eligible employees the opportunity to waive their enrollment in the District’s health insurance program, in exchange for a monetary incentive.

 

Enrollment in the Waiver Incentive is voluntary and revocable by the employee. The District guarantees the employee the right to re-enroll in his/her plan of benefits at their request.

 

Please use the form below to enroll in the Waiver Incentive.

 
 insurance waiver 2024
 
Click on the Image Above to Print the Buffalo City School District Insurance Waiver Incentive Program Form
 

For More Information Regarding the Waiver Incentive, Please Contact the Benefits Office at (716) 816-3754.

Teacher Exclusives


Many companies and local organizations offer teachers great discounts on good and services. If you know of any that can be added to the list, please let us know.

 
Book Discounts
 
Barnes & Noble:
Barnes & Noble offers a 25% discount on in-store purchases plus 10% off cafe treats exclusively for U.S. teachers.
 
First Book:
First Book offers up to 50% off retail book prices and free resources to qualified recipients. Check eligibility.
 
Scholastic Teacher Store:
Scholastic offers discounts on products and shipping for teachers. See their site for further instructions.
 
 
Craft and Fabric Discounts
 
A.C. Moore:
Teachers can sign up for A.C. Moore’s Loyalty Program to get exclusive savings and rewards when they purchase art supplies and crafting materials.

JOANN Fabric:
JOANN Fabric offers an exclusive 15% discount on in-store and online orders to U.S. teachers with valid ID.
 
Michaels:
Michaels offers a 15% discount on in-store purchases every day to U.S. teachers with valid ID.
 
 
Retail & Apparel Discounts
 
Banana Republic:
Banana Republic offers U.S. teachers a 15% discount on full-priced in-store purchases. Valid ID must be presented upon checkout. Restrictions apply.
 
Dressbarn:
Teachers can get 15% off in-store purchases at Dressbarn when they sign up for their loyalty program. Present valid educator’s ID during checkout.
 
J.Crew:
J.Crew offers U.S. teachers a 15% discount on in-store purchases when they present proper ID at checkout. Exclusions apply.
 
Sunglass Hut:
Sunglass Hut is offering a 15% discount to U.S. teachers. Verify with ID.me
 
Vera Bradley:
Vera Bradley offers a 15% online discount to teachers when they verify their eligibility using a valid ID.me account.
 
 
Hotel & Resort Discounts
 
Howard Johnson Hotels: 
Public school teachers can are eligible for discounts at participating Howard Johnson hotels. Contact 1-800-225-3297.
 
Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa:
Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa offers exclusive vacation packages to U.S. educators. Verify through email to receive discount.
 
Planet Hollywood Resort:
Planet Hollywood Resort offers educators across the nation an exclusive 10% discount as well as other special offers once identification is verified through ID.me (source).
  
Westgate Resorts:
Westgate Resorts offers a 10% discount to teachers and educators using promo code EDUCATORS10. Restrictions apply (source).
 
Wyndham Hotel Group:
Wyndham Hotel Group offers special discounted rates to public school teachers and other government employees. Book online or call 1-800-407-9832.
 
 
Automotive Discounts
 
Buick/Chevrolet/GMC:
Buick offers special educator discounts on select models. Check eligibility.
 
Budget Truck Rental:
Budget Truck Rental offers U.S. teachers a 20% truck rental discount on local moves, and a 15% discount on one-way moves using the code TEACH.
 
Dollar Car Rental:
U.S. teachers can apply for government employee discounts and benefits at Dollar Car Rental.
 
E-Z Rent-A-Car:
E-Z Rent-A-Car offers a 10% discount to teachers with valid ID when they use the promo code 827B9. Available until Jan. 31, 2020.
 
Sixt Rent a Car:
Sixt Rent a Car offers a 5% discount on prepaid car rentals to U.S. educators and school employees. Restrictions appl.
 
 
Phone Service Discounts
 
AT&T:
AT&T offers select educator discounts on monthly phone service plans through AT&T’s Signature Discount Program. Employee ID or school email is required
 
Sprint:
School employees, teachers, and administrators can claim special offers and savings through the Sprint Works Program. Verify online to receive a discount code.
 
T-Mobile:
T-Mobile offers exclusive education discounts on monthly phone service plans for K-12 and college U.S. educators. Call 1-844-225-2036 to get verified. Restrictions apply.
 
Verizon Wireless:
Verizon Wireless offers phone service discounts to U.S. education employees. Work email and pay stub required.
 
 
Membership Discounts
 
American Federation of Teachers:
The AFT Advantage card offered through the American Federation of Teachers offers exclusive discounts on insurance, travel, shopping, and legal financial services.
 
National Educator’s Association:
Members of the National Educator’s Association receive exclusive yearlong NEA membership savings on travel, shopping, and insurance rates.
 
 

Important Information

  • The Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) Information 

    The APPR is a process by which teachers are evaluated in NYS. The intent of APPR is to assist educators to improve the quality of instruction in schools and to improve students' performance for colleges and careers. District APPR plans must meet strict state guidelines and be negotiated with local unions. Under state guidelines, APPR takes into account classroom observations and student performance. Teachers across NYS receive an overall effectiveness rating every year.

     

    APPR is complex and can often be overwhelming.  Click here to keep up to date on all the current APPR information.

  • Opt-Out Information 

    Teachers and parents share deep concerns about the standardized tests used by NYS for accountability purposes that include; stress on students, in-appropriateness and lack of validity of the Common Core-aligned tests, loss of learning time, and lack of transparency on state test content. Parents who decide it is not in their children’s best interests to take these assessments are part of an “Opt-Out” movement. BTF fully supports parents’ right to choose what is best for their children.

     

    Click here to keep up to date on the "Opt-Out" movement and other information.

  • COVID-19 Information


    For our members, BTF has collected COVID-19 resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, as well as our affiliates, NYSUT, the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association. Together we must, and will, be proactive to ensure that Coronavirus does not infect and spread to our students, staff and community.
     
    Click here to view recent information and writen correspondence. The BTF will post more information as it becomes available.

Buffalo Teachers Federation

 officers 2023
 
The Buffalo Teachers Federation is the professional union that represents over 3800 contract, probationary and temporary teachers of the Buffalo Public Schools.

 The BTF is proud to be a member of New York State United Teachers and affiliated nationally with the National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers.
          
 We invite you to explore our website for information and resources specifically for our members and retirees.

Calendar

 March 2025
 13   Executive Committee Meeting - 5:30 pm
 13    Council of Delegates Meeting - 7:00 pm      
 25   BTF Retirement Seminar
 
 April 2025
  11   BTF Office Closed at 4:00 pm
14-21   Spring Recess       
  24   Executive Committee Meeting - 5:30 pm   
  24   Council of Delegates Meeting - 7:00 pm      
     

Office Information

Mailing Address:
Buffalo Teachers Federation
271 Porter Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14201
Phone: 716-881-5400
 
Supplemental Benefit Fund:
Phone: 716-881-5462
Fax:     716-881-0580
 
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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