MEMORANDUM
Memo To: All Buffalo Teachers
From: Philip Rumore, President, BTF
Date: September 21, 2021
Subject: Services for Edith LeWin (Edie) – Updates
Services for Edie
Services for Edie will be held on Friday, September 24, 2021. Visitation will be from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at the Carlton A. Ullrich Funeral Home, Inc., 8630 Transit Road, East Amherst 14051 with a service beginning at 11:00 am at the Funeral Home. “Committal” to follow at Elmlawn Cemetery, 3939 Delaware Avenue, Kenmore, NY 14217. The obituary will be in The Buffalo News on Wednesday, September 22 and Thursday, September 23, 2021.
The BTF office will be closed on Friday, September 24, 2021 so that our staff can attend the services for Edie.
Thank you for your understanding.
BTF Endorsement
As is often the case, The Buffalo News incorrectly indicated that the BTF had endorsed India Walton for Mayor of Buffalo in the general election.
That is not true.
We endorsed her and some others for the primary election. At its October meeting, the Council of Delegates, as per our procedures, will vote on endorsements in the general elections.
The statement made by the Mayor to James Heaney of the Investigative Post, reported in The Buffalo News article, that many found troubling, can be found here. (https://youtu.be/33doHFraFyk)
Teachers who called me, and others who commented at the time, questioned if he would have made both statements if the reporter was a reporter of color.
That he made the statements at all is what troubled me is what I relayed to all that called.
Possible Illegal Strike
We have been advised that correspondence is circulating in some school districts calling for a “Massive Call-In Sick-Day” on Wednesday, September 22, 2021.
This is apparently in reaction to the actions taken by the “superintendents, boards, governor and legislators” relating to COVID-19 and its variants and to “Bring the District to Their Knees”.
The BTF does not support or condone this “Massive Call-In Sick Day”.
Please be advised that if you participate, this might be construed as an unlawful strike under the Taylor Law and the District could, among other things, proceed to deduct two days of your pay for each day that such conduct occurs, as well as bring disciplinary action against you seeking your suspension without pay and/or your termination of employment.
While BTF stands ready to pursue issues through grievance and other contract action, please be advised that BTF does not authorize, approve, condone, consent, support or recommend unlawful strike activity such as said “Massive Call-In Sick Day” and strongly advises that members do not engage in such conduct.
PR:su