(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) - Teacher representatives from Buffalo’s Public Schools are holding a rally today (Wednesday, September 18th) to protest the Superintendent’s and School Board’s refusal to negotiate a new contract. 

After the late afternoon rally, some Buffalo Teachers Federation (BTF)-represented Teachers will then go into a Board meeting where BTF President Phil Rumore will address the Board. 

In a prepared release, Rumore said:

“Under our contract, negotiations on a new contract were to begin in January 2019.

On April 2nd (2019), when we first met, after agreeing to some District changes to the ground rules that govern negotiations, incredibly, the Superintendent’s and School Board’s negotiating team adamantly refused to agree to the ground rule that would have each side agree to two tentative future meetings. 

Realizing the District was intent on delaying negotiations, the BTF returned to BTF Headquarters to allow the District to reconsider its detrimental position. 

Since then, we have been attempting to resume negotiations.

Incredibly, on September 9th (2019) the Superintendent and Board agreed to resume negotiations beginning on September 25th (2019) - however, they have refused to negotiate the ground rules for the negotiations!

In a slap in the face to Buffalo Teachers, since April 2019, the Superintendent and School Board have, however, given substantial raises to the senior City Hall staff.