Buffalo, NY (WBEN) A month after picketing in their call for a fair contract, Buffalo teachers will be holding off on a vote of no confidence against Buffalo Public Schools for at least a week. The Buffalo Teachers Federation president says progress has been made in talks.
BTF President Phil Rumore says the vote that had been scheduled for Tuesday, will now be put on hold following the latest negotiations. "We're not very, we're not close to a complete agreement yet. But we made some movement that I thought was significant," says Rumore. He says a key player was present at last week's talks. "The superintendent was at the negotiating sessions, which I think made the difference," he says.
Rumore believes Dr. Tonja Williams seems to be taking charge of things. "I think there was a more of a spirit of trying to get to closure on this than in previous negotiations," notes Rumore.
Rumore notes there are still some sticking points in the contract talks. 'We're looking for more school counselors, attendance teachers, social workers, etc. So that we can work with the kids because I have had since they've come back from COVID," says Rumore. He says salaries are also an issue. "It takes Buffalo teachers 27 years to reach the maximum, and most of the districts it's 22 years. The salaries are obviously a lot less than and it's a whole big thing," notes Rumore.
The next negotiating session is set for Friday.
