MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          April 23, 2021

Subject:     Updates, COVID-19, Negotiations, Etc.

Our agreement with the PERB Mediator and District to put negotiations/mediation on hold expired on April 14, 2021.

We then immediately contacted the mediator and District advising them that we were prepared to resume negations as soon as the mediator’s schedule permitted.

The meeting will be on Monday, April 26, 2021. At that time, we, with the mediator’s assistance, will determine where we left off, future meetings, agendas, etc.

The mediator will be determining the process.

The Council of Delegates was briefed on some of the issues, e.g. proposals, funding, etc.

We will keep you updated as advised by the mediator.

With your continued solidarity and support, we will continue to fight for a contract that is not just comparable to those in surrounding districts, but superior to them.

Stay tuned.

Administrators Subverting SBMTs
Once again, some administrators are attempting to subvert the authority of the School Based Management Teams (SBMTs). We have sent correspondence to the District Committee of Stakeholders, the Committee charged with overseeing and implementing the “District Plan for School Based Planning and Shared Decision Making”. (Click Here)

The parents and others share our concern that in too many instances they are cut out of decision making.

We will be meeting with them to ensure that all share in the decisions.

Enclosed, please find a copy of the email sent to all teachers on November 10, 2020, where important information relating to SBMTs is delineated. See “School Reopening Plans” (Click Here)

As you know, every October or November we have had a two (2) day leadership workshop for Delegates, Alternates, Building Committee members and teachers who wish to attend. Obviously, one was not held this past year.

However, each attendee is given a very large binder with many important documents for use in their school.

In it is a copy of the Site Based Document approved by the Board, which I review with all participants each year.

If someone in your building has attended one of the workshops, you might want to ask them to let you review it, as it has much information in it. Some leave a copy in the faculty room.

Just in case there isn’t one available, attached is a complete copy of the approved District plan (Click Here). If you have any questions, please call. It has also been posted to the BTF website (Click Here).

We will continue to work with parents and others to ensure that decisions are made by the SBMTs, as required by the document. Feel free to share the document with your administrator(s).

Daily Health Screener “Forms”
We have received concerns that some administrators are developing their own Health Screening “Forms” and some go beyond what is required.

We are in the process of checking with our attorneys to determine what can/cannot be required, confidentiality, etc.

We will be advising the District that there should be an agreed uniform “form” with guaranteed confidentiality that complies with the laws and regulations.

Once we receive answers from our attorneys, we will forward our correspondence to the District relating this to you.

School Calendar
The Board has approved the 2021-2022 school calendar we approved (Click Here).

In addition, this year, June 18, 2021 will be considered a holiday (Juneteenth).

School Safety
We continue to fight to ensure that our schools are and remain safe. Enclosed, please find a copy of correspondence sent to Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz, Dr. Gale R. Burstein and Superintendent Dr. Cash. (Click Here)

Thank you for keeping us informed of incidents of confirmed cases of COVID-19 that do not appear on the District’s website. (Click Here)

BTF Welcome Back Posters
Some teachers have requested additional BTF “Welcome Back Posters” for their rooms and school/site.
We have additional ones available.

Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the number of smaller (classroom) and larger (school) posters you would like. We will send them in the pony.

Council of Delegates Building Elections
Next week we will circulate a By-Law change that will permit the option of holding building elections either in person or via email (Election Buddy).

Unemployment Fraud
In addition to the information sent to you by the District relating to unemployment fraud perpetrated against Board employees, the following was forwarded to us by one of our NYSTRS delegates. (Click Here)

Please stay well, take no chances.

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          April 28, 2021

Subject:     Negotiations Updates

As per our last email, we met with the Public Employment Relations Board appointed mediator and three members of the District’s negotiating team on Monday, April 26, 2021.

We discussed where we left off, how to proceed (with or without the mediator present… we suggested he be present).

We decided that since some larger venues are available, we will attempt to meet in person, e.g. Waterfront Auditorium, the meeting space at the new Emerson, etc.

The mediator will now contact us with dates that he is available. The availability of the sites will then be checked.

We have sent correspondence to the mediator and District checking to ensure that we all have the most up-to-date documents.

We will keep you updated as we proceed.

In response to some teachers whose Delegates could not attend our last Council of Delegates meeting, where we briefed the Delegates on some of the District’s and our proposals, here are some of the District’s proposals.

District’s Proposals

• Teachers pay 20% towards their healthcare (current premiums - $9,720 – Single, $21,491 – Family)
• Teaching periods from 5 periods to 6 periods
• School year from forty-two (42) weeks to forty-four (44) weeks
• No retiree healthcare
• Personal days from five (5) to three (3) days
• Remove Art, Music and PE for PreK-6
• Faculty meetings from ten (10) meetings to twenty (20) meetings
• Eliminate waiver pool for teachers who have other coverage (teachers paid (underpaid) for opting out)
  

Oh, and their salary offer – 1.5% over the current salary.

The District apparently believes they can bully us and that we will appease them. Work with the mediator, yes. Bend to their demands and drop our Improper Practice (I.P.) charges against them for bargaining in bad faith… not now, not ever.

Cooperate, yes, capitulate never.

Some of the BTF’s over 80 proposals, in addition to seeking lower class sizes/class loads for all teachers are:

• Weighting students for class sizes based on years behind, ELL, Special Ed, etc.
• All teachers 45-minute prep
• Increased supply funding
• Teacher decides on lesson plans, APPR protections
• School safety

Some retroactive salary proposals:

• That BS starting step be the average of BIG 5, plus Albany, minus Buffalo. This is much greater than the surrounding Districts
• Continue to decrease steps to maximum
• Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)
• Grad Credit, BS +90, MS+90
• Additional money to pay for increased SBF Benefits
• No percentage payment for healthcare

These are but a few of the over eighty (80) BTF proposals. A summary of all BTF and District proposals was sent out previously.

We will continue to keep you updated. As you may remember, there may come a time when the mediator has both parties cease disclosure of negotiations. Until then, we will continue to update you.

Remember, we expect a contract not just comparable to surrounding districts, but superior to them.

Our continued solidarity and strength will ensure this.

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          April 29, 2021

Subject:     BTF Action to Secure Cyberattack Information

The District has refused to provide answers to teachers and parents who have asked whether their personal information has been compromised/breached as a result of the cyberattack on the District. The District has refused, saying it could not answer the inquiries, as the attack/breach is part of an ongoing investigation.

While we, obviously, don’t want to interfere with the cyberattack investigation, we should be advised by the agency doing the investigation, of the need and reasons for withholding the information.

Based upon NYSUT’s analysis/suggestions, we have sent the attached to the District. (Click Here)

We have been in contact with parents, who are also being denied the information. They are also trying to secure said information. They will, as we usually have with issues of mutual concern, be sent a copy of the correspondence to the Superintendent.

PR:ls

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          May 3, 2021

Subject:     Update – Positive News, Negotiations, BC/BS

Positive News
At the NYSUT State Representative Assembly this weekend, the BTF received two (2) awards.

Thank you to all those who participated in the projects.

• Local Community Service Award
  
  • Variety Club Telethon, Thanksgiving Food Drive, Read Across America, Buffalo Philharmonic Young Audience Concerts, sponsoring virtual graduations for Buffalo Public School High School students, and donations to many charities.

• Ken Kurzweil Social Justice Award
  
  • Advocating for Educational Justice
    
  • Supporting Initiatives to Combat Hunger
    
  • Demonstrating Labor Solidarity
    
  • Championing Racial Justice
    
  • Championing Women’s Issues and Rights

Note: BTF was the only union in New York State to receive this award.

Negotiations
We are awaiting availability dates from the PERB-appointed mediator.

We are working with NYSUT on the District’s financial documents, state allocations, cost projections, etc.

We have been informed that some in the District hierarchy believe that with the funding available, they can buy many of their destructive proposals and that if not, teachers will cave in to their demands.

Be careful what you say around some administrators. They are feeding the District harmful and wrong information.

What we expect is a contract not comparable to those around us, but superior to them.

Stay Tuned. Stay Strong.

BC/BS Settlement Notification
Many teachers are receiving a “Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement Notice”.

We have been advised by NYSUT that this isn’t a “scam”.

If you have been notified and want to be included you must file a claim.

If we receive more information, we will forward it to you.

Please stay well. Take no chances.

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          May 5, 2021

Subject:     Updates – Lack of Paper Towels, Summer School, Safety/Health Conditions

Shortage of Paper Towels?!

Administrators have been advising teachers that there is a District-wide shortage of paper towels and that there is no District plan for restocking.

Some schools were limiting the distribution of existing quantities to restrooms with no hand dryers and teachers were advised to not ask for them for student restrooms.

Yesterday morning we notified the Superintendent of this.

We are now informed that at the Health and Safety reopening meeting yesterday afternoon, the lack of paper towels in the District was discussed. Yvette Gordon, Director of Building Safety & Health, stated that an emergency order of paper towels was placed and expected to arrive within the next few days. Due to the ransomware attack, MUNIS was compromised and therefore supplies could not be ordered. It was stated that MUNIS is now functioning.

Some teachers (no surprise here!) went out and purchased paper towels for their students.

If you did or do, complete a requisition form at your school to be reimbursed. You should provide a receipt. If you no longer have your receipt, indicate that you attest that the amount is what you spent and provide picture/wrapper, etc.

If you are refused, advise your LRS. Hopefully, we will not have to grieve this. (No good deed goes unpunished.)

Summer School

Teachers have been unable to obtain clarity on exactly what will be offered, when, the hours, etc.

Apparently, the District is still making plans. 

Regardless of what is planned, you should know:

• Hiring is first based upon the number of years of summer employment in the Buffalo Public Schools. (XII (G) (1)) pg. 24
• For vacancies, e.g. for those vacancies after all teachers with summer school employment have been canvased, positions are filled based upon contract, probationary, temporary, i.e. seniority/years of service. (XII (G) (3) (a)) pg. 24-25
• If a program, at a site is “mutually agreed” by the District and BTF, to have been developed for the students at a particular school/site, teachers at that school have priority to fill those positions. They are filled in the order outlined above. (XII (G) (3) (b)) pg. 25

We are working with the District to identify and agree on programs designed for students at the school/site and programs designed for students not at the school/site, who are from various other sites and are to be established at the school/site.

The hiring for each is handled separately as above.

We have been informed that some programs may last four (4) hours or more. If you accept a summer school position that is for four (4) hours or more, you must receive 1/200^th of your salary for each such day. (VIII B (2)) pg. 14

Less than four (4) hours, as always, you receive the hourly rate (1^st year - $29.72, 2^nd year - $31.85). These will be increased in our next contract. (Yes, retroactively.)

As soon as we reach agreement with the District on programs “mutually agreed” to be for students at a particular site, you will be notified.

We have corresponded with the District of our concerns relating to the lack of details in the postings. (Click Here)

We will continue to work with the District, so that you can plan.

Stay tuned.

Safety/Health Conditions

Thank you for continuing to report safety and health issues at your schools/sites. They are reported to the District. If they continue, please advise your LRS (Click Here). If the District does not address them, they will be made public.

Please stay well. Take no chances.

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          May 11, 2021

Subject:     Updates – School Safety, Negotiations, Class Size/Caseloads, Grievances, Transfers

School Safety
While teachers have advised us that health and safety conditions and procedures have improved, we are still hearing of serious issues.

If there are serious health and safety issues at your school, please report them to your LRS (Click Here) and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

If after what you consider a reasonable time, they have not been resolved, please repeat the above procedure so that we know that issues(s) have not been resolved.

We will continue to do whatever is necessary to ensure that our schools are safe for students, staff, parents and the community.

Yes, some are angry with us; however, we will, as we always do, do what we know is in the best interest of our students, staff, parents and community. No one will ever know the physical harm prevented or the lives saved as a result of ours and the District’s actions.

Be assured many have benefited from our actions though they may not know it.

Our next court date before Judge Colaiacovo is scheduled for May 20, 2021.

Stay tuned.

Negotiations
We are still awaiting the mediator’s suggested meeting dates to resume negotiations. Please be careful what you say in front of some administrators. Some are advising District administrators that teachers are divided, just want a contract, and will accept anything.

Not now, not ever! We have worked on a state and national level to secure major funding increases. There can be no excuses.

A contract not reflective of those around us – but superior to them.

Lower Class Sizes/Caseloads, Etc.
The District has millions of dollars that must be utilized to undo the damage done to the education of our students.

We must and will ensure that the funding that must be used for that purpose is used for that purpose and not wasted (more administrators, programs that don’t work, etc.).

Enclosed, please find a copy of correspondence sent to the Superintendent and Board. (Click Here)

In addition, we will continue to work with parents to ensure that the use of the funds are agreed to by your Site Based Management Teams (SBMTs).

Yes, if necessary we will got to court. Hopefully, we will not have to.

Grievances
We will be appearing before the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) on May 12, 2021 in relation to the charges we filed against the District for violating the grievance procedures.

An arbitration relating to the District’s unilateral change to Medicare Part D for some members is scheduled for June 10, 2021.

We have reached agreement, if the teacher agrees, to have Level III (Superintendent) hearings held virtually until August 31, 2021, unless either side terminates said agreement – memorandum of understanding (MOU).

Other grievance hearings are being heard in-person and virtually.

Transfers
We have just received a copy of the absurd (at best) email regarding transfers. More on this insanity tomorrow.

Please stay well. Take no chances.