MEMORANDUM
Memo To: All Buffalo Teachers
From: Philip Rumore, President, BTF
Date: August 22, 2022
Subject: Updates
Negotiations
As per our August 12, 2022 email (Click Here), our actions will be timed to achieve the maximum impact - too soon is too often forgotten losing its impact.
Now that the Fact-Finder has been named -
- The Superintendent and Board have been sent the attached correspondence (Click Here) and Comparison (Click Here)
- Delegate Chairs have been notified of the availability of signs with times to pick them up for solidarity rallies.
- The above correspondence has been sent to all media.
We will not wait until the next Board meetings (September 7 work session/September 21 regular meeting). We will follow our schedule.
We are scheduling a solidarity rally for Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at City Hall at 4:00 pm. Signs will be available at the event. Let us show everyone we are united and strong in our demand for a contract that, as in other districts reflects our dedication to our students. We will begin by marching in front of City Hall and then circling it.
- We will be working with NYSUT for more media coverage.
- The Fact-Finder has set up a preliminary meeting for Thursday, August 25, 2022 to discuss timelines, etc. We will schedule said dates ASAP. We are ready.
Once again, why is the Board using every means to delay negotiations, even though we have taken legal action against them - to set teachers against teachers and the BTF.
Unfortunately, they believe they are succeeding in doing just that to weaken our position at the negotiating table. Some in the District are misusing Facebook posts to try to pressure BTF into a quick contract. That will not happen. Our solidarity in the face of such attempts will not succeed. Teachers will not be used to divide and conquer .. not now, not ever.
Political Action Committee Endorsements (Click Here)
MEMORANDUM
Memo To: All Buffalo Teachers
From: Philip Rumore, President, BTF
Date: August 23, 2022
Subject: Solidarity Rally
As discussed, the timing of our solidarity rally provides short notice; however, the date was picked to reflect the strategic timeline we establish. It was also picked since there is no rain forecasted for Wednesday, August 24, 2022. While we may have a smaller number of participants, we will be making a timely statement in coordination with our letter to the Superintendent and Board. (Superintendent Letter) & (Comparison)
Yes, as always you may bring a member of your family. Yes, there will more solidarity rallies.
Yes, we know you will ensure that all your colleagues know about our solidarity rally and attend. Let’s do it!!
Thank you to all the Delegates Chairs and school representatives who have already scheduled a time to pick up signs for their school. There will be additional signs available at the solidarity rally.
| WHEN: | Wednesday August, 24, 2022 | |
| TIME: | 4:00-5:00 | |
| WHERE: | City Hall |
MEMORANDUM
Memo To: All Buffalo Teachers
From: Philip Rumore, President, BTF
Date: August 25, 2022
Subject: Solidarity Picketing / Special Board Meeting
We have just learned that there will be a Special Board of Education Meeting:
| DATE: | August 31, 2022 | |
| TIME: | 4:00 pm | |
| PLACE: |
Buffalo Academy of Visual and Performing Arts (See Below) | |
| 450 Masten Avenue Buffalo, NY 14209 |
It will apparently be to ratify the Engineers’ contract.
While this is very short notice and we know many are still at work, if you can make it with a sign, thank you.
We are still suggesting school /site picketing this Friday, September 2, 2022.
School/Site Picketing Date Change
Based on concerns relating to picketing on the first day of student attendance and the usual confusion, (which will probably be worse this year), we are suggesting beginning school/site “pre-entry” picketing on Friday September 9, 2022 instead of Tuesday September 6, 2022.
Next Rally
We will plan for a solidarity rally before the next regular Board Meeting.
| DATE: | September 21, 2022 | |
| TIME: | 4:00 pm - Meeting starts at 5:30 |
|
| We will attend the meeting – I will address the Superintendent and Board | ||
| PLACE: | Buffalo Academy of Visual and Performing Arts (See Below) | |
| 450 Masten Avenue Buffalo, NY 14209 |
Solidarity Day – Fridays
We encourage teachers to wear BTF identification often, and as always, on Fridays, everyone should be wearing something with the BTF logo. If you need additional BTF logo “stickers”, Delegate Chairs please advise us of the number you will need. You can pick some up or we will put them in the Pony to you. Shirts, etc. are available at BTF headquarters.
Picket Signs
Thank you to the Delegate Chairs who have already picked up signs for your school. Many are here awaiting a pick up. If you have not had a chance to schedule a pick up, please email Hazel at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Negotiations
We will be submitting our issues to the Fact-Finder this week unless issues arise. They will not be shared with the District until October 7, 2022. That is when they are due. Unlike the District, we are ready for Fact-Finding now.
We have just received a response from the District re: resuming negotiations on issues we believe can be resolved prior to a Fact-Finder’s Report.
Once again thank you, for on very short notice, turning out for our Rally. The District was taken aback.
Well Done!
Stay Tuned.
MEMORANDUM
Memo To: All Buffalo Teachers
From: Philip Rumore, President, BTF
Date: August 25, 2022
Subject: October??!! Correspondence to Superintendent
The following is a correspondence to Dr. Tonja Williams, Superintendent, BPS
"Today during the virtual meeting with the Fact-Finder, we were informed by Nathaniel Kuzma that the District could not be ready to submit documents for Fact-Finding until October! October! We have been in negotiations for over three (3) years and have known for months, that as you requested, we would be going into fact-finding and you don’t have documentation for your positions!? We indicated we are ready to proceed as soon as possible. We will be submitting our proposals and documentation to the fact-finder next week.
The Fact-Finder has therefore set the following dates – written submissions October 7, clarifying materials October 21, a hearing tentatively scheduled for December 13, 2022.
Also, you know we have taken legal actions against the District with PERB.
- September 23, 2019-District refusal to negotiate April 2019-August 2019
- November 7, 2019-Bad Faith negotiations – Regressive Bargaining
- June 2022 Bargaining in bad faith
The great turnout yesterday of close to three hundred (300) teachers picketing with only two (2) days' notice showing their anger should have sent a message to the District … They are angry and insulted by the District’s delays and insulting contract offers.
Since you and some Board members have stated you desire to reach a contract settlement, we suggest that we set a date to resume negotiations. The Fact-Finder has indicated he is willing to mediate. The only District salary offer on the table is your April 28, 2022 insult.
- No salary increase for the first year of the new contract (2019-2020).
- No retroactive payment for teachers who retired prior to the ratification of a new contract.
- To increase the number of weeks teachers must work from forty-two (42) to forty-four (44) weeks.
- That teachers required to work after the forty-two (42) week maximum will not be paid. Will only receive 1/200 after the forty-fourth week.
- To increase the hours of special area teachers teaching both elementary and secondary students from two hundred forty (240) minutes to two hundred fifty-five (255).
- That teachers pay fifteen percent (15%) toward their health care. Note: We are informed the District’s healthcare costs went down.
And, your gracious salary offer for Buffalo teachers:
- 2019-2020 - 0% salary increase
- 2020-2021- only “Teachers employed by the District at the end of the 2020-2021 school year, who continue to be employed by the District as of the ratification of this Agreement shall receive a one (1) time bonus in the amount of 5% of their annual salary as of the date of ratification of this Agreement.”·
2021-2022- Effective upon ratification of this Agreement, teacher and psychologist salaries shall be increased by 4%. (4%) - 2022-2023 - (0%)
- 2023-2024 - Effective July 1, 2023, teacher and psychologist salaries shall be increased 5%, or 3.94% (5% or 3.94%) if the parties agree to include a form of step compression.
- 2024-2025 - Effective July 1, 2024, teacher and psychologist salaries shall be increased 2.5%
- 2025-2026 - Effective July 1, 2025, teacher and psychologist salaries shall be increased by 4 % or 2.94% if the parties agree to include a form of step compression. (4% or 2.94 %)
We look forward to working with you to provide Buffalo teachers with a contract that reflects their dedication to our students and that reflects how other districts have provided for their teachers."
cc: All Buffalo Teachers
MEMORANDUM
Memo To: All Buffalo Teachers
From: Philip Rumore, President, BTF
Date: September 1, 2022
Subject: Correspondence of Superintendent and Board – Attempt to Prevent Teacher Input
Attached (Click Here) please find correspondence sent to Superintendent and Board relating to the attempt to prevent me, as your President, from presenting your input/views.