Buffalo Teachers Hit Picket Line, Again

B U F F A L O, N.Y., Sept. 14, 2000 -- 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.”

Masiello blamed the union for being unwilling to acceptgivebacks the school district finds financially necessary. Themayor is opening community centers around the city to help care forthe children. Bus drivers ran their routes to tell parents of theschool closings. Children left unattended at bus stops were pickedup and taken to the schools where their parents would be notified.

“I don’t like it,” said Alisha Bly, 10, of Buffalo as shewalked home with her three siblings and her father. “I think theteachers should get what they want instead of the board cheatingthem.”

Her father, Jerry Bly, said he wasn’t surprised by the strike.

“I figured they go out today, but I’m for it,” he said. “Thecity says teachers are getting $50,000 a year and I know a lot ofteachers getting $25,000 a year. The board’s lying. They had allsummer to settle this.”

Senate Candidates Weigh In

U.S. Senate candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton, who was endorsedby the Buffalo teachers union, said the teachers should be back inthe classroom.

“The teachers should be working and their action against the[state] Taylor Law is illegal and I don not believe that’sappropriate,” the first lady said.

“I really believe strongly that we do have to give more supportto our teachers, both in terms of financial support, but alsorespect and authority and discipline, the things that make ourschools successful,” Mrs. Clifton said. “But there has to be arecognition that the most important obligation is to be in thatclassroom teaching our children.”

The Democratic candidate was in Buffalo for campaign eventsfollowing her Wednesday night debate against Republican Rep. RickLazio of Long Island.

Lazio also support the teachers’ return to the classroom.

“You need to put the children first,” Lazio said. “We need tomake sure the teachers get back in the classrooms and we need tomake sure the teachers are paid fairly.”

The job action, suspended by the teachers after the firstwalkout, comes after administrators had said progress was beingmade in negotiations.

“We’d all rather be in the classroom. But we also want to getwhat we deserve and what the kids deserve,” said picketing specialeducation teacher Ros Gottstein.

Jessica Post, a 16-year-old junior at DaVinci High School, and afriend were transferring buses when they found out and then headedback on another bus toward home.

“It’s my junior year and this is the year the colleges look atmy applications, so it’s not good,” Post said of the strike. “Itmakes me mad, this is the second time they’ve done it. I’m mad atthe union, not the teachers though.”

The labor dispute involving 3,700 teachers had canceled classesfor two days last week when teachers abruptly struck, stranding thecity’s 47,000 students. School has been in session since Monday.

The teachers’ contract expired in June 1999, although teacherscontinued to work under its terms.