Buffalo Teachers Hit Picket Line, Again

B U F F A L O, N.Y., Sept. 14 -- Teachers in Buffalo walked off the job asecond time in their strike against the city school district.

Schools closed as the Buffalo Teachers Federation called foranother walkout after meeting early today.

The school superintendent then canceled classes shortly afterthe union’s 7 a.m. announcement. That notice came too late for manystudents who left for school, the same situation students andparents faced a week ago when teachers began the strike and theirfirst walkout.

School officials said students who showed up for classestoday would be cared for.

“This is about the greedy self-interest of the executivecommittee of the BTF who have no interest in protecting the health,safety and welfare of our children. It’s outrageous and at thispoint, our next proceeding is in court,” said school boardPresident Paul Buchanan.

Union officials already face some contempt charges, but couldface additional ones for violating a preliminary injunction issuedearlier, Buchanan said.

Charges of Bad Faith Negotiations

However, union officials said they would file their own courtaction today against the school board, alleging bad faithnegotiations.

“The district reneged and actually decreased the offers thatthe superintendent and chief negotiator agreed upon previously,” ateachers union spokeswoman said today in a prepared statement.“It is apparent that the superintendent and chief negotiator donot have the authority to negotiate.

“In the interests of our community and at the request of thestate mediator, Buffalo teachers have gone more than the extra mileto keep schools open,” the union said. “Because of the brokenassurances of the district and their apparent lack of authority tonegotiate, we have no choice but to request that Buffalo teacherspicket in the Buffalo public schools and not enter the schools.”

“That’s absolutely ridiculous,” said Mayor Anthony Masiello.“They have been negotiating in good faith … You just can’t keepcreating the havoc that these decisions by the BTF leadership arecreating for families and for children and for the future of ourschool system.”