MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          May 19, 2022

Subject:     Update – Thursday, May 19, 2022

May 14, 2022 Murders
As you know from our last correspondence/Press Release,

“We call upon the media and all who care about the truth to, instead of referring to vicious, heinous and racist acts such as those in Buffalo as “shootings”, “killings”, etc. to call them what they are – MURDERS – and those who have been found to commit them – MURDERERS.

If it needs to be couched as “apparent murder”, or “alleged murderer” for legal reasons, the stigma must be present and known to occur before and when they make their vicious plans”, stated Philip Rumore, President, Buffalo Teachers Federation.”

First, as always, you have gone above and beyond in providing comfort and understanding to your students, each other and parents. You are Buffalo teachers… the very best.

We have been advised by our friends in the community that the best way to provide direct assistance to the murder victims, survivors, their families and others in the community is to contribute to the Buffalo Survivors Fund.

The BTF has authorized a $50,000 contribution from our reserves on behalf of Buffalo teachers. (Note: We have over one million dollars in reserves for such expenditures).

If you would also like to contribute, the link is https://www.gofundme.com/f/buffalo-survivors-fund.
Note: If you don’t go to “Enter Custom Tip”, 15% will be added to your donation. If you click on it, you can add nothing or whatever you want to add to your donation.

In order to not interfere with other marches, rallies, etc. and to ensure that the racist murders are not forgotten, we have scheduled a Unity Rally for June 2, 2022, at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park from 4:30 to 5:30 to accommodate late school schedules.

Please note that in addition to the Interim Superintendent, we will be joined by Randi Weingarten, our National AFT President and Andy Pallotta, our New York State President.

We have invited others and await their responses. You will be notified of any additions.

This Unity Rally is important; however, it is not intended to just be a unity rally but a call for action. We will be inviting each speaker to say what action(s) they will be taking and how together we can support them.

Unity Rally flyers will be distributed to you next week (Click Here).

Supplemental Benefit Fund
The problems incurred in implementing the Delta Dental plan have been corrected. You can continue to use your Delta Dental card.

More detailed information will be forthcoming. There will also be a process for submitting any concerns with previous charges. They will be corrected and a refund issued if a mistake was made.

Negotiations
Our May 16, 2022 negotiating session was not held for obvious reasons. It will be rescheduled and others added.

Our next session will be with the PERB-appointed mediator on Friday, May 20, 2022.

Stay Tuned