Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Buffalo Public School's Board of Education approved a tentative teacher's contract that is expected to be signed by the Buffalo Teachers Federation, which will put an end to the three-year battle of negotiations between the school board and the BTF.
The unanimous vote occurred during a special meeting at Buffalo City Hall Friday afternoon, leaving the teacher's to review the contract over the weekend for ratification.
The BTF will convene at Kleinhans Music Hall on Monday afternoon to hold a ratification voting process.
listen to WBEN now!
"Today is a great day for our teachers and for our entire Buffalo Public School community. After years without a teacher contract, we are very proud to have reached a tentative agreement with the Buffalo Teachers Federation," said Superintendent Dr. Tonja Williams.
Salary Numbers
The starting salary for new incoming teachers in Buffalo Public Schools will be second in the region only to Lackawanna Schools. However, the overall increase in pay for teachers will put BPS among some of the other districts in the region. The average salary of Buffalo teachers will rise from $72,000 to $91,000.
Among the highlights of the contract, a 21% increase in salary for teachers over the life of the agreement as well as a one time 10% signing based on teacher salary. An initial 8% salary increase is effective September 1, 2022 and retroactive to that date. The remaining salary increases are as follows:
6% on July 1, 2023, 4% on July 1, 2024 and 3% July 1, 2025.
VIEW: Complete tentative agreement between BTF and Buffalo Schools
"This contract is approved by this board and on Monday by our teachers, we will be in contract with 11 out of 11 of our labor partners. That is the first time that that has happened in this district. As far back as most of us can remember, that has not happened," said Nate Kuzma, Chief Negotiator for the Buffalo Public Schools.
This comes following the announcement of retirement of the BTF President Phil Rumore, who has been serving as the union president for over 40 years.
Related
Related
