Buffalo Teachers Shuffle Off To NYSUT Fold

By HOWARD MEGDAL

The New York State United Teachers formally welcomed the Buffalo Teachers Federation into its fold Sept. 20.

The BTF, formerly a local of the National Education Association of New York, joined NYSUT after the two state unions officially merged earlier this month. Its affiliation with NYSUT is provisional, and will be re-evaluated after a year, ac cording to BTF President Philip Rumore.

"We're rolling up our sleeves," NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi said in a statement. "We're ready to get to work on behalf of the great Teachers and paraprofessionals who are working hard every day to make Buffalo's schools work."

The BTF boasts a membership of 3,700, and has been working under an expired deal since July 1, 2004. Buffalo, with a population of 279,945 according to the 2005 U.S. census estimate, is the state's second largest city.