By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – A tough arbitration decision has been handed down against the Buffalo Public School District. The District must return to multiple health carries by January first.
Buffalo teachers are celebrating an arbitration victory regarding their health insurance. The teachers union argued that the district violated their contract when it changed their health care choices last year.
The ruling says it was "blatant power play" by the district. Buffalo Teachers Federation president Phil Rumore says the ruling accuses Superintendent James Williams and the district of being dictatorial and using bullying tactics.
The ruling also calls on the district to rehire 38 laid off teachers with back pay and interest. Rumore accuses Williams of trying convince those teachers to demand the union drop its arbitration.
Buffalo schools superintendent James Williams warns that, despite the decision in favor of the union, teachers will lose in the long run.
Williams warns that the District will not back down and will continue to appeal the decision. He says the District went to a single health carrier to protect teachers jobs.
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