named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Collective Bargaining Negotiations
Engages in ongoing contract negotiations with the Buffalo School District to secure fair wages, benefits, and working conditions for teachers.
Fact-Finding and Mediation Process
Utilizes state-facilitated fact-finding procedures to resolve contract disputes when negotiations stall, including submission of financial data and proposals.
Retirement Seminar
Annual event offering guidance and resources to teachers considering retirement, including information on benefits and pension planning.
Sick Leave Bank Enrollment
Program allowing teachers to join or modify participation in a shared sick leave bank, providing mutual support during extended absences.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Union and Association Benefit Funds 2 activities
- Administers dental insurance benefitsProvides dental insurance coverage to teachers with a $1,600 annual benefit for members and $960 for dependents, effective on first day of employment, with claims submitted by dentists to Delta Dental, and offers COBRA-eligible continuation for retirees and dependents in specific circumstances.
- Provides paid leave and bereavement benefitsOffers up to 5 working days of paid leave at full pay for teachers experiencing a death in the immediate family, and allows use of personal or sick leave for funerals of friends or relatives with administrative approval.
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Labor-Backed Candidate Endorsements & Electoral Support 1 activity
- Administers political endorsement processOperates a formal political endorsement process that includes accepting written requests, conducting candidate interviews via its Political Action Committee, and making final endorsement decisions through a vote by the Council of Delegates, while maintaining independence from state and national affiliate endorsements.
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Education Policy Advocacy & Reform 1 activity
- Advocates for teacher evaluation reformMonitors and advocates for changes to teacher evaluation systems, including the elimination of SLO requirements for Regents teachers, negotiating a uniform Student Growth Score, tracking annual APPR ratings, and planning to negotiate a new APPR agreement under NYS STEPS to ensure fair evaluations.
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Retirement Benefits Education & Support 1 activity
- Conducts union elections and retirement supportAdministers officer elections in partnership with third-party vendors and offers annual retirement seminars to support teachers preparing for retirement.
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Union Member Communications 1 activity
- Produces member communications and publicationsProduces a newsletter and a publication called the Provocator for members, containing updates on union-related topics, editorials, event announcements, and information relevant to the teaching profession.
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Nonprofit Retail and Merchandise Sales 1 activity
- Provides member discounts and union merchandiseOffers a curated list of discounts from external companies and organizations for teachers and sells union-branded apparel to members and supporters.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Issues press releases and public communicationsCommunicates union positions, events, and news to the media and the public through press releases and public-facing campaigns, including the purchase and display of billboards throughout Buffalo to inform the public about teacher-related issues.
- Secures and administers member compensation benefitsSecured supplemental payroll payments to correct underpayments and negotiated retroactive pay for members, while monitoring disbursement by the District.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$4.57M
Contributions & grants$00%
Program service revenue$3.71M81%
Investment income$726K16%
Other revenue$135K
expenses
Total expenses$3.50M
Program expenses87%
Admin / overhead13%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$722K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$7.22M
Cash$1.04M
Investments$5.92M
Liabilities$766K
Net assets$6.46M
Liquid reserves23.8 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue +9.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 25
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOSEPH MONTANTE | TREASURER | 40 | $125K |
| REBECCA PORDUM | FORMER OFFICER | 40 | $84K |
| PHILIP RUMORE | FORMER OFFICER | 40 | $78K |
| MELINDA MACPHERSON-SULLIVAN | VICE PRESIDENT/SECRETARY | 40 | $5K |
| CHRISTINE SALAMONE | DIRECTOR | 1 | $2K |
| SOPHIA JOHNSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | $1K |
| DENNIS BRANCATO | DIRECTOR | 1 | $891 |
| MELISSA KENNEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | $758 |
| EVE SHIPPENS | DIRECTOR | 1 | $700 |
| M SUE RAICHILSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | $700 |
| RACHEL LIS | DIRECTOR | 1 | $591 |
| NICOLE HERKEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | $567 |
| ANTHONY THOMAS | DIRECTOR | 1 | $385 |
| APRIL HALL | DIRECTOR | 1 | $385 |
| BRIAN MEYER | DIRECTOR | 1 | $385 |
| DESIREE BRECKENRIDGE-BARNES | DIRECTOR | 1 | $385 |
| GREGORY SAWICKI | DIRECTOR | 1 | $385 |
| JANINE SCHUSTER | DIRECTOR | 1 | $385 |
| MICHAEL MECCA | DIRECTOR | 1 | $385 |
| MIKE JEFFERS | DIRECTOR | 1 | $385 |
| RICHARD PYSZCZEK JR | DIRECTOR | 1 | $385 |
| RICH NIGRO | PRESIDENT | 40 | $251 |
| TARA ROSA | DIRECTOR | 1 | $145 |
| CHRIS STEPHENS | DIRECTOR | 1 | $134 |
| DAVID STEPHENS | DIRECTOR | 1 | $134 |
relationships · 18
Who they work with
- American Federation of Teachers Network — BUFFALO TEACHERS FEDERATION INC is affiliated with AFT, a national union representing educators and school-related personnel
- American Federation of Teachers Network — Offers the AFT Advantage card through which members receive exclusive discounts.
- Buffalo Public Schools Government — Negotiates and implements collective bargaining agreement provisions including bereavement leave for teachers.
- Buffalo Public Schools Government — Negotiates and implements contractual seniority policies with the district for teacher employment terms.
- Buffalo Public Schools Government — Represents teachers employed within the Buffalo Public Schools district.
- Buffalo Public Schools District Partner — Engages in ongoing discussions and negotiations with the District on teacher evaluation policies and APPR reforms.
- Buffalo School District Partner — Negotiates with the District on employment terms, transfers, and contractual rights for teachers.
- Delta Dental Partner — Insurance carrier for dental benefits provided to Buffalo Public School teachers and their dependents.
- NYSUT Network — Receives guidance from NYSUT on APPR agreement changes and collective bargaining strategies.
- NYSUT Partner — Collaborated with BTF through its financial analyst and fiscal expert support during contract negotiations.
- National Education Association Network — BUFFALO TEACHERS FEDERATION INC is affiliated with NEA, the nation's largest professional employee organization in education
- National Educator’s Association Network — Provides NEA membership savings on travel, shopping, and insurance for members.
- New York State United Teachers Network — BUFFALO TEACHERS FEDERATION INC is affiliated with NYSUT, a federation of local unions in New York
- New York State United Teachers Network — NYSUT is a state affiliate whose endorsements BTF communicates and supports; BTF considers NYSUT members in Western New York for local endorsements.
- New York State United Teachers Partner — Buffalo Teachers Federation is affiliated with NYSUT, and members pay dues to both organizations
- SBF Partner — Administrative body providing guidance on eligibility, COBRA, and other dental benefit details for BTF members.
- State Education Department Government — Interacts with the State Education Department regarding compliance with APPR regulations and awaits guidance on new evaluation parameters.
- Survey & Ballot Systems Partner — Partnered with BTF to administer the 2023 BTF Officers Election.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Collective Bargaining as Teacher Protectionmethodology: collective-bargaining-firstBy determining education policies like teacher evaluations through collective bargaining rather than top-down mandates, the union protects teacher rights and ensures fair, negotiated outcomes because democratic labor processes produce more equitable and sustainable solutions than imposed standards.
- Democratic Legitimacy in Political Actionmethodology: democratic-endorsement-processBy using a multi-tiered democratic process to issue political endorsements, the union ensures that its advocacy reflects broad member consensus and remains accountable because legitimacy in political representation strengthens member buy-in and long-term influence.
- Seniority-Based Equity in Employment Securitymethodology: seniority-based_retentionBy using seniority—defined through continuous district-wide or tenure-area-specific service—as the primary factor in retention and transfer decisions during reductions-in-force, the union ensures fairness and stability because longevity in the district reflects institutional commitment and protects experienced educators from arbitrary displacement.
- Union Solidarity as Strategic Resistancemethodology: solidarity_mobilizationBy mobilizing visible, collective expressions of unity—such as coordinated dress or branded merchandise—the union strengthens internal cohesion and counters anti-union efforts because shared symbols and actions reinforce member identity and deter external threats to labor power.