As most New York correction officers reject the agreement to end their strike, the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision is warning them of the possible consequences for their roles in the work stoppage.Ìý
Thomas Mailey, a DOCCS spokesperson, said Saturday that officers who are participating in the illegal strike may be held in contempt of court. A judge issued a temporary restraining order last week requiring the officers to end their walkout and return to work. Many officers defied that directive to remain on the picket line.Ìý
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The agreement reached between DOCCS and the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association sets a Saturday deadline for striking correction officers to return to work. If they don't end the strike, Mailey said there will be "additional legal and administrative actions," including civil penalties for violating the Taylor Law that prohibits public employee strikes. They could also lose their health insurance.Ìý
Officers could be arrested for violating the court order or fired for continuing the strike.Ìý
"Today marks the deadline for all correction officers to return to work, in accordance with the independent mediator's binding award," Mailey said. "This is a critical next step towards resolution and moving towards constructive long-term solutions."Â
Correction officers continue their strike Friday at Auburn Correctional Facility.
The strike, which is in its 13th day, began Feb. 17. DOCCS said roughly 90% of the state's 13,500 correction officers and sergeants are participating in the walkout.Ìý
Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has criticized the strike and urged the correction officers to return to work, activated more than 6,500 New York National Guard soldiers for security at state prisons. DOCCS suspended visitation at all correctional facilities and programming for incarcerated individuals was affected by the strike.Ìý
DOCCS and NYSCOPBA agreed to mediation and the sessions began Monday. After four days, a deal emerged to resolve the work stoppage. DOCCS agreed to temporarily suspend parts of the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement Act, known as HALT, for 90 days. The agreement addresses other issues, including mandated overtime — one of the main complaints from striking correction officers.Ìý
Hochul said Friday the agreement is "a real win" for correction officers, but they disagreed. Correction officers in Auburn and at other facilities rejected the deal and remain on strike.Ìý
Series: Continuing coverage of the NY correction officer strike
Ë®¹ûÅÉAV's continuing coverage of the state correction officer strike, including protests outside Auburn and Cayuga correctional facilities.Ìý
Ë®¹ûÅÉAV talked to two labor experts about the "risks" correction officers are taking by going on strike and what message the movement sends to state government.Ìý
A group of Democratic state senators who represent prisons, including Auburn and Cayuga correctional facilities, are calling for safer workplaces for striking correction officers.Ìý
The New York State Police is investigating two DOCCS buses that were vandalized in Cayuga County.Ìý
Mediation begins Monday in an attempt to end the state correction officer strike.Ìý
New York correction officers who continue to participate in an illegal strike will be considered absent without leave, according to the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.Ìý
The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision said one of its buses was set on fire and another was vandalized at a Cayuga County shop.Ìý
The top Assembly Republican visited Auburn correction officers who have been on strike since Tuesday.Ìý
A pair of state legislators has provided portable toilets for the Auburn correction officer strike.Ìý
Amid a correction officer strike, Gov. Kathy Hochul has amended her 2025-26 state budget proposal to include the closure of up to five prisons.Ìý
The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision has suspended parts of HALT and took other actions in an attempt to end the correction officer strike.Ìý
A memo details the National Guard's use of force policy and directs servicemembers to avoid interacting with striking correction officers at New York prisons.Ìý
How the correction officer strike is affecting inmates at Auburn Correctional Facility.Ìý
Federal and state representatives are supporting correction officers on strike at state prisons, including two in Cayuga County.Ìý
Gov. Kathy Hochul has activated the National Guard, while a mediator has been retained to help end the three-day-long correction officer strike.Ìý
Gov. Kathy Hochul deployed the National Guard to Auburn Correctional Facility on Wednesday as the correction officer strike entered its second day at the prison.Ìý
Gov. Kathy Hochul has a message for striking New York correction officers.Ìý
The New York State Police is providing security at select prisons during the ongoing correction officer strike.Ìý
The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision has responded to demands from correction officers amid a strike affecting at least 25 prisons.Ìý
Correction officers are on strike at several New York prisons. But under state law, the strike is illegal.Ìý
Correction officers at more than 20 New York state prisons, including Auburn and Cayuga correctional facilities, are on strike.Ìý
Gov. Kathy Hochul is preparing to deploy the New York National Guard to state prisons if the correction officer strike doesn't end by Wednesday.Ìý
Correction officers are on strike at two New York prisons to protest unsafe working conditions.
Government reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 664-4631 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on X @RobertHarding.
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Series: Continuing coverage of the NY correction officer strike
Robert Harding
Online producer/politics reporter
