BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) It appeared the Buffalo School district was negotiating a teachers' contract in public at Wednesday night's school board meeting.
During a lengthy address to the board, Chief Counsel Nathanial Kuzma declared the two sides were at an impasse over one remaining issue, retiree health benefits. He went on to explain that regionally and statewide, it is not a benefit that any district can continue to provide.
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The district has proposed eliminating retiree health benefits for new hires starting in 2026. It would take approximately 25 years for the district to start to see the savings.
"We're close to where we want to be, when it comes to salary" said Buffalo Teachers Federation President Phil Rumore, on WBEN Thursday morning. "But when it comes to health care benefits for retirees, I think it's a benefit
that our teachers deserve. We're negotiating the issue. It's one of the last issues on the table. We've made a counter offer and are awaiting a response from them."
Is the writing on the wall for retiree benefits, with Kuzma pointing out that regionally and statewide, retiree benefits are going away?
"It could be," Rumore responded. "It's not a good thing. It's a benefit that everybody should have, universal health care. Then we wouldn't have this problem."
Benefits for retirees is not the only issue on the table. "Another issue," Rumore said, "is that the district wants teachers to work 43 weeks, instead of 42 weeks. They want to add another week to the school year. That spreads the pay out over another week."
Despite two unresolved issues, Rumore said the two sides are close. "Since the Superintendent has been at the table, we've made better progress. I think we're close."
No new negotiation sessions are scheduled.