Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Contract negotiations between the Buffalo Schools and Buffalo Teachers Federation are at an impasse over retiree health insurance.
At issue is the district's insistence that teachers hired after January 1, 2026 would not be afforded Blue Cross/Blue Shield retiree health benefits. The proposal would not impact current teachers or those hired up until that date.
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"Retiree healthcare is not going to happen," said a frustrated board president Sharon Belton-Cottman after hearing from the district's negotiator and the head of the teachers union during a board meeting Wednesday evening. "We’re adamant about that."
During a lengthy address to the board on the retiree health issue, district Chief Counsel Nathaniel Kuzma stated, "We are at impasse over this one remaining issue." Kuzma said no other district in Erie County is afforded the level of retiree health care that is offered in Buffalo. "We are at the end," Kuzma said firmly. "We’re not going to be reaching a settlement anytime soon."
BTF President Phil Rumore addressed the board and said, "We want this thing settled also." Rumore said there is no disagreement on salaries and the approximate 21 percent increase provided in the contract proposal and said the union is awaiting a district response to a counter-proposal it has forwarded regarding the retiree health care issue.
While the BTF has offered a counter-proposal, Rumore repeatedly argued that the issue doesn't save the district any money for at least 20 years from January 1, 2026 when a new teacher hired would be able to retire and collect those benefits. "What's the urgency?"
Some board members who spoke on the contract impasse expressed frustration, characterizing the proposal on the table for the teachers is a fair one.
"I don think there’s anyone in WNY that doesn’t think this is a decent offer," Belton-Cottman stated as she reacted to the struggle to get an agreement in place.
"I think right now this is a fair deal," said board member Cindi McEachon.
Board member Larry Scott questioned the sticking issue of retiree health care, paired with the raises proposed in the contract offer to teachers.
"We can't do both," responded Kuzma to the question.
Despite the appearance of a firm impasse, Scott remains optimistic, saying, "I remain hopeful we can get this done very soon."
As Rumore concluded his remarks to the board, he also attempted to put an optimistic spin on where discussions stand. "We’ve all come a long way from where we started," he said.
No further discussions between the district, board and teachers are scheduled.
"This is the best and final offer," Belton-Cottman said.
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