MEMORANDUM
Memo To: All Buffalo Teachers
From: Philip Rumore, President, BTF
Date: February 10, 2023
Subject: Negotiations – Updates
Negotiations – February 9, 2023
As per our previous correspondence to you, both teams met today to review and discuss the Fact-Finder’s report to ensure there were no misunderstandings.
The meeting was positive, with both sides agreeing to work expeditiously toward an excellent settlement.
As you know, our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 14, 2023 (Yes, Valentine’s Day). Based on any progress made at that meeting, we may schedule another meeting or exchange proposals/documents on February 15 or 16, 2023.
Stay Tuned
In case anyone asks, the 21% increase that the District is bragging about is not over three (3) years. It is over seven (7) years.
Progress in Negotiations
In response to teachers who did not receive the email with the District’s initial salary proposal and the movement that has been made:
“ As per the request of teachers, here is a copy of the District’s first salary package dealing with 2019-2026. It also includes Healthcare, transfer procedures, coaching, summer hiring, length of school year and scheduling proposals. (Click Here)
| Salary 3/17/2022 | |||
| District Offer on 3/17/2022 | Current/Fact-Finder Recommendations | ||
| 2019-2022 | 5% Bonus (If Employed 2021-Ratification ) | 8% Bonus | |
| 2022-2023 | Ratification 4% | Ratification 8% | |
| 2023-2024 | 5% or 3.94% * | 6% | |
| 2024-2025 | 2.5% | 4% | |
| 2025-2026 | 4% or 2.84% (See Note) | 3% | |
| Note: 2025-2026 Removed by District in Subsequent Negotiations | |||
| * If the parties agree to step compression – Removal of Step 16. | |||
Healthcare 3/17/2022
• Reduces providers
• 20% Payment (Current teachers and future retirees)
• Removes keeping retiree contributions as they were at retirement
• Removes retiree healthcare for teachers hired after 7/1/2022
Teaching Load and Schedules 3/17/2022
Increases numbers of weeks teachers must work from 42 weeks to 44 weeks.
Increases the teaching load (time) of special area teachers (Art, Music, Physical Education and Foreign Language) who are also teaching elementary students from 240 minutes to 255 minutes.
As you can see, we have made progress from this ‘proposal’.
This has come as a result of your support through picketing, votes and solidarity.
Now having the Superintendent at the negotiating table has helped.
We are obviously not there yet. ”