A Cayuga County lawmaker said last week that 200 correction officers lost their jobs from Auburn and Cayuga correctional facilities.Ìý
Legislator Mark Strong, R-Moravia, revealed the number during a discussion about the proposed vehicle use tax at the Cayuga County Legislature's Government Operations Committee meeting. He was among the critics of the tax and mentioned the potential impact on families affected by the recent firings or resignations.
Strong, whose district includes Cayuga Correctional Facility in Moravia, is a retired correction officer.Ìý
The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision confirmed approximately 2,000 correction officers and sergeants were fired for participating in a three-week strike that ended March 10. They were terminated after failing to report for duty by the state-imposed deadline.Ìý
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Citing "security reasons," DOCCS would not disclose how many officers were fired at each facility.
The strike began Feb. 17 to protest unsafe working conditions in state prisons. During the work stoppage, DOCCS reported that about 90% of its 13,500 correction officers and sergeants joined the walkout.
DOCCS entered mediation with the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, the union representing correction officers and sergeants. A deal was reached to end the illegal strike, which was not sanctioned by the union. But rank-and-file officers rejected that agreement.Ìý
A separate agreement was reached between DOCCS Commissioner Daniel Martuscello and correction officers on the picket line, but NYSCOPBA objected because it wasn't involved in the talks.Ìý
DOCCS and NYSCOPBA negotiated another deal to end the strike. One of the terms was 85% of striking officers had to return to work by 6:45 a.m. March 10.
Although that threshold wasn't met, the state honored the agreement for the officers who returned to duty. But the officers who failed to meet the deadline were fired.Ìý
Gov. Kathy Hochul issued an executive order that prevents state and local agencies from hiring the fired correction officers.
The loss of 200 correction officers could be a blow to Cayuga County's economy. Auburn and Cayuga correctional facilities are among the largest employers in the county.Ìý
The Correctional Association of New York, an independent prison watchdog, reported in January that Auburn and Cayuga correctional facilities had 729 correction officers. The number does not include vacant positions.
Series: Continuing coverage of the NY correction officer strike
Ë®¹ûÅÉAV's continuing coverage of the New York correction officer strike.Ìý
The union representing New York correction officers has killed a deal to end the 18-day strike.Ìý
A lawsuit alleges that the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision is restricting inmates' access to communications and visits with legal counsel.Ìý
The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision began issuing termination notices to striking correction officers Sunday.Ìý
DOCCS Commissioner Daniel Martuscello III said that New York correction officers who remain on strike will lose their health insurance Monday.Ìý
Correction officers continue their strike in Auburn after rejecting an agreement reached between the state and the New York State Correctional…
New York correction officers who don't return to work could face penalties, including arrest or termination, for continuing their strike.Ìý
Gov. Kathy Hochul says a deal to end the nearly two-week-long strike is a "real win" for the state's correction officers, but many officers are continuing the work stoppage.Ìý
At Auburn Correctional Facility, striking officers rejected the agreement announced late Thursday and will continue their work stoppage.Ìý
Hundreds of officers at Auburn and Cayuga correctional facilities rejected the agreement reached between their union and the state Department …
New York correction officers are holding the line, despite an agreement reached between their union and the state to end the 12-day strike.Ìý
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The union representing New York correction officers says there has been "progress" in mediation to resolve the 10-day strike.Ìý
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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
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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
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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
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A pair of state legislators has provided portable toilets for the Auburn correction officer strike.Ìý
"No matter what happens, guys are going to leave and we're going to have less staff when we go back, which is the worst thing that can happen. There are good guys giving up their jobs."Â
The top Assembly Republican visited Auburn correction officers who have been on strike since Tuesday.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
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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
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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
Officers at Auburn Correctional Facility stood in inclement weather on Wednesday, the second day of their strike to protest unsafe working con…
Gov. Kathy Hochul has a message for striking New York correction officers.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
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The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision has responded to demands from correction officers amid a strike affecting at least 25 prisons.Ìý
The New York State Police is providing security at select prisons during the ongoing correction officer 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 at more than 20 New York state prisons, including Auburn and Cayuga correctional facilities, are on strike.Ìý
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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.
Robert Harding
Online producer/politics reporter
