MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          August 12, 2022

Subject:    Updates - August 12, 2022

Negotiations

• We have corresponded with PERB for a timeline for the appointment of a Fact-Finder for our negotiations. We had previously been advised that there are similar delays across N.Y.S due to the volume of issues involving PERB. We will advise you as soon as we receive a response.
• Fact-Finding

As per previous emails that some might not have received, we can refuse to participate in Fact-Finding; however, the District will then participate without our making a presentation.

The Fact-Finder’s recommendation, which will be made public, will then obviously not be favorable to us or based on our input.

We have met with the BTF action committee and BTF Executive Committee and outlined of timeline of actions. As you know, timing is critical. Once again, the important dates are as follows:

I.    The naming of the Fact-Finder

a)   Superintendent, Board members and Media sent:

*    Contrasts - Buffalo teachers’ salaries, steps, Life-time earnings with Big 5 and local districts, Cobra etc.
*    Buffalo/Nationwide Teacher shortage
*    Health care/Teaching conditions

Note: according to NYSUT re: our last media buy:

*    Buffalo News views 114,000
*    Social media (politicians etc) 101,000

b)   Rally -- school Board meeting. If none scheduled, rally at City Hall

II.   Fact-Finding Begins

PERB sets guidelines
Eg. What can be released, etc.

III.  Fact-Finder’s report Issued

*  Report is made public
*  BTF takes position -- negotiating team, Executive Committee, Council of Delegates vote based on Teachers’ input.
*  Rally - Board Meeting
*  Negotiations Resume
*  Picketing of Superintendent and Board Members’ houses (timing here important)-we will see what District’s Position on Fact-Finder’s report is and statements made as negotiations resume.
*  More media

IV.  More dates/action

*  Teacher set-up day and first day (September 2nd & 6th ) Teachers picket together in front of school and enter together.
*  (Signs will be distributed by next week)
*  Teachers continue to picket and enter together.

Note: as you know we have already done an interview on WUTV 29. We will be doing an interview on WIVB on Monday August 15, 2022.

Why is the District delaying Negotiations and submitting divisive proposals? To set teacher against teacher and teachers against BTF. That has never and will never work.

Regardless of the District’s divisive tactics, we are and will remain united.

THANK YOU MATT KIBLER

Today is Matt Kibler’s last day as one of our BTF/NYSUT Labor Relations Specialists. He is moving on to represent colleges in the area. Boy, are they lucky.

Matt has been and is a tireless advocate and fighter for educators as those of you who have worked with him know. We know, if needed, he will still be there for us.

On behalf of us all, thank you. We wish you all the best.

WELCOME, DEVON GAWLEY
While Matt Kibler will be very, very difficult to replace, we are very fortunate that Devon Gawley has agreed to accept the LRS position at BTF. After interviewing her, it was clear that she would be a great addition to our team. In addition to being knowledgeable about the BTF, Labor Law, she asked questions relating to the BTF structure, how we determine teacher concerns, etc. In short, she was very interested in working with and for Buffalo teachers.

In her own words, “I am highly motivated to advocate on behalf of each member of the BTF. I am a graduate of SUNY Geneseo and University of Buffalo School of Law. As an LRS, I look forward to addressing your questions and concerns. Please reach out to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and (716) 881-5400.”

I am sure you will agree that she is a great addition to our team.

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          August 17, 2022

Subject:    Appointment of Fact-Finder

We received correspondence today naming a Fact Finder for our negotiations. His name is Robert J Reden.

The correspondence states “May we remind you that the Fact Finder is limited to THREE days including hearings and time used for report writing and research unless additional time is expressly authorized by the Director of Conciliation. Because of these limits, you should place before the fact finder only those issues of high priority which can be reasonably handled in a limited time.”

We will arrange for a start date ASAP.

Stay Tuned.

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          August 16, 2022

Subject:    Updates - August 16, 2022

Negotiations

• We are awaiting a response from PERB relating to our correspondence relating to the timeline for the appointment of a Fact-Finder.
• We have been informed that there may be a significant increase in education funding that was not anticipated. Funding that we (BTF/NYSUT/NEA/AFT) were instrumental in securing. It is apparently the results of factoring in a COLA/Inflation factor.

Obviously, it is in our interest to determine if this is correct. We should have that information later this week.

• We have been seeing good media coverage of the teacher shortage. The latest being Sunday in The Buffalo News.
• My interview with Channel 4 is to air tonight (August 16, 2022).

For those who have texted that we should go on strike now and want to know what happens to us if we do:

• The current contract that we are working under is null & void. It is in effect until a new one is in place or a strike takes place. This puts the District in a better negotiating position
• Teachers are docked two (2) days’ pay for each day on strike.
• The BTF/NYSUT/NEA/AFT lose the ability to collect dues for as long as a court decides
• The BTF is fined heavily

Yes, we have gone on strike before

Yes, I have no concern about going to jail again for calling a strike.

A strike is an action taken when there is little or no hope for a settlement.

We are not there yet.

Why is the District delaying negotiations and submitting divisive proposals? To set teacher against teacher and teachers against BTF. That has never worked. Regardless of the District’s divisive tactics, we are and will remain united.

District Demand for Personal "Dependent Eligibility Verification"

We have filed a grievance on this and requested a legal opinion from NYSUT. (Tax forms, Birth Certificate to a third party, etc.)!?

New Labor Relation Specialist

New LRS - Staff Assignment  Click Here 

In Memory of Edie LeWin

Click Here for information

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          August 18, 2022

Subject:    Updates

Negotiations

• Remember the Fact-Finder’s report is not binding on either side. Once it is released, each side will take a position on its contents and negotiations will resume. It will be made public.
• As per our time-line, now that the Fact-Finder has been named, we will be sending the Superintendent and Board of Education data on Buffalo Teachers/Erie County Teachers (salaries/steps/lifetime earnings, etc.)
• We have sent the Fact-Finder the materials he requested. We will also have a preliminary virtual/phone conference with him next week as per his request.
• Other actions – rally, etc. being planned.

Stay tuned.

School Safety - Survey

The school Safety Report has been sent to the Superintendent and the Board and is being sent to you as per our correspondence to you. It will also be released to the media.

Letter to Dr Tonja M. Williams, Superintendent, BPS (Click Here)

School Safety Concerns Survey Results (Click Here)