Post by Logan on Feb 3, 2016 2:05:17 GMT -6
After rejecting district’s contract offer, BTF must show it really wants a deal
It comes as little surprise that the Buffalo Teachers Federation rejected a new contract proposal from the Buffalo School District. It comes as even less surprise that it was rejected with BTF President Philip Rumore’s trademark overkill. Not only did teachers not like the offer, he said, but they were “furious, angry and insulted” over a proposal that was “like a slap in the face.”
OK, fine. Now what?
For the record, the contract offered a 10 percent raise with teachers paying 10 percent to 20 percent of costs for health care benefits and working a longer day. Teachers haven’t had a contractual raise since the last pact expired in 2004, although most have received annual step increases and have been benefiting from a generous health plan that covers elective cosmetic surgery.
Still, given the ongoing and historic enmity between the union and the district – some of which is strategic – and also the nature of public-sector labor negotiations, it’s no surprise that the BTF rejected the contract. It would have been startling if it didn’t.
Read more: www.buffalonews.com/opinion/buffalo-news-editorials/after-rejecting-districts-contract-offer-btf-must-show-it-really-wants-a-deal-20160202
It comes as little surprise that the Buffalo Teachers Federation rejected a new contract proposal from the Buffalo School District. It comes as even less surprise that it was rejected with BTF President Philip Rumore’s trademark overkill. Not only did teachers not like the offer, he said, but they were “furious, angry and insulted” over a proposal that was “like a slap in the face.”
OK, fine. Now what?
For the record, the contract offered a 10 percent raise with teachers paying 10 percent to 20 percent of costs for health care benefits and working a longer day. Teachers haven’t had a contractual raise since the last pact expired in 2004, although most have received annual step increases and have been benefiting from a generous health plan that covers elective cosmetic surgery.
Still, given the ongoing and historic enmity between the union and the district – some of which is strategic – and also the nature of public-sector labor negotiations, it’s no surprise that the BTF rejected the contract. It would have been startling if it didn’t.
Read more: www.buffalonews.com/opinion/buffalo-news-editorials/after-rejecting-districts-contract-offer-btf-must-show-it-really-wants-a-deal-20160202