The head of the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision pledged to recognize an agreement to end the correction officer strike, despite opposition from the union representing the officers.
DOCCS Commissioner Daniel Martuscello said Thursday he was presented with "the tenets of an agreement" after conversations with striking correction officers. The offer covered several issues, including the formation of a committee focused on amending the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement Act and working toward returning to eight-hour shifts.Â
Martuscello met with the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association's leadership to review the agreement. During that meeting, he said there was a verbal agreement with NYSCOPBA President Chris Summers to enter into a memorandum of understanding that would outline the terms of the deal to end the strike.Â
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However, NYSCOPBA's leadership refused to sign the memorandum of understanding. In a swipe at Summers, Martuscello said he is "once again failing his members."Â
±·³Û³§°ä°¿±Êµþ´¡Ìýopposes the agreement because the union, which did not sanction the strike, was excluded from the talks. The union's leadership on Wednesday criticized "outside influences" that were negotiating with DOCCS.Â
"There are substantial legal issues that must be addressed, and as presented, this agreement does not represent the best interests of our membership," a NYSCOPBA spokesperson said Thursday.
DOCCS and NYSCOPBA participated in mediation shortly after the strike began on Feb. 17. Four days of meetings resulted in an agreement, or consent award, that addresses many of the issues also included in the latest deal. A condition of the consent award was officers needed to return to work by Saturday, March 1.Â
But several correction officers rejected that agreement and continued to strike. That led to a change in strategy by Martuscello.Â
"Recognizing that I needed to hear from my workforce directly, I traveled the state and took phone calls from correctional officers and correction sergeants across this state, hearing directly from them what would be necessary for them to return to the workforce," he said.Â
A correction officer stands in the watch tower at Auburn Correctional Facility Thursday.Â
On Thursday, Martuscello received their terms. HALT is the top issue for striking correction officers, who say the law limiting the use of segregated confinement has led to the unsafe working conditions in prisons. Assaults on incarcerated individuals and staff were at record levels in 2024.Â
DOCCS will continue to suspend portions of HALT for 90 days, according to Martuscello.Â
Other provisions in the deal include paying double time and a half for 30 days after officers return to duty and not disciplining employees for their participation in the strike. Health insurance will be reinstated and civil contempt cases against workers who defied a temporary restraining order to end the strike will be dropped.Â
Martuscello also committed to pursuing vendors to screen legal mail, a source of contraband in correctional facilities, and exploring the addition of airport-style screening equipment at prison entrances.Â
The agreement will also expedite the review to increase salary grades for correction officers and sergeants. Martuscello said that process usually lasts about 18 months, but it will be completed within two.Â
Martuscello confirmed that he rescinded his Feb. 10 memo that classified 70% as full staffing in prisons.Â
As correction officers return to duty, the National Guard will remain at prisons until normal operations are restored. Gov. Kathy Hochul activated more than 7,000 National Guard soldiers to provide security at prisons affected by the strike.Â
A condition for honoring the agreement is for correction officers to return to work Friday. If they are assigned the day shift, they must report by 6:45 a.m. For the later shifts, they must be at work by 6:45 p.m.Â
Jackie Bray, commissioner of the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, warned striking officers that "this deal will not be offered again." She added that the state is prepared to "exercise all our rights and all remedies, criminal and civil, to end this illegal strike."Â
The strike has already cost the state $25 million. If it lasts for an extended period, it could cost $106 million a month.Â
At its peak, about 90% of the state's 13,500 correction officers were on strike. Some returned to work, but most continued their walkout.Â
Martuscello hoped that the deal brokered with the rank-and-file officers will end the strike.Â
"I heard my workforce loud and clear, and I will not fail to deliver on what I promise," he said.Â
Series: Continuing coverage of the NY correction officer strike
Ë®¹ûÅÉAV's continuing coverage of the New York correction officer strike.Â
The union representing New York correction officers has killed a deal to end the 18-day strike.Â
A lawsuit alleges that the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision is restricting inmates' access to communications and visits with legal counsel.Â
The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision began issuing termination notices to striking correction officers Sunday.Â
DOCCS Commissioner Daniel Martuscello III said that New York correction officers who remain on strike will lose their health insurance Monday.Â
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.Â
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.Â
At Auburn Correctional Facility, striking officers rejected the agreement announced late Thursday and will continue their work stoppage.Â
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.Â
The state and the union representing New York's correction officers have reached an agreement to end the 11-day strike.Â
Here is what's in the agreement to end the New York correction officer strike.Â
About 90% of the state's correction officers and sergeants are on strike, according to the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.Â
The union representing New York correction officers says there has been "progress" in mediation to resolve the 10-day strike.Â
Gov. Kathy Hochul renews her call for the correction officer strike to end.Â
For better and for worse, Auburn has a strong connection to the state prison that lies largely hidden behind looming concrete walls in the hea…
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.Â
The New York State Police is investigating two DOCCS buses that were vandalized in Cayuga County.Â
A group of Democratic state senators who represent prisons, including Auburn and Cayuga correctional facilities, are calling for safer workplaces for striking correction officers.Â
Mediation begins Monday in an attempt to end the state correction officer strike.Â
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.Â
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.Â
Striking correction officers receive support from the community with a drive-by parade at Auburn Correctional Facility on Saturday. Family mem…
A pair of state legislators has provided portable toilets for the Auburn correction officer strike.Â
"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.Â
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.Â
Corrections officers at Auburn Correctional Facility say their resolve is strong despite the snow and bitter cold on Thursday. The work stoppa…
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.Â
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.Â
How the correction officer strike is affecting inmates at Auburn Correctional Facility.Â
Federal and state representatives are supporting correction officers on strike at state prisons, including two in Cayuga County.Â
Gov. Kathy Hochul has activated the National Guard, while a mediator has been retained to help end the three-day-long correction officer strike.Â
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.Â
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.Â
Correction officers are on strike at several New York prisons. But under state law, the strike is illegal.Â
The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision has responded to demands from correction officers amid a strike affecting at least 25 prisons.Â
The New York State Police is providing security at select prisons during the ongoing correction officer strike.Â
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.Â
Correction officers at more than 20 New York state prisons, including Auburn and Cayuga correctional facilities, are on strike.Â
Correction officers at Auburn Correctional Facility and Cayuga Correctional Facility in Moravia continued their strike on Wednesday to protest…
Correction officers are on strike at two New York prisons to protest unsafe working conditions.
Gallery: Striking Auburn officers vote to go back to work, union tries to kill deal
The lot across the street from Auburn Correctional Facility had been teeming with striking correction officers since Feb. 18.Â
A correction officer stands in the watch tower at Auburn Correctional Facility Thursday.Â
A correction officer opens the gate for National Guardsmen at Auburn Correctional Facility. Officers voted Thursday to end their strike after 18 days.
National Guardsmen leave Auburn Correctional Facility as correction officers vote to end their strike after 18 days.
The lot across the street from Auburn Correctional Facility has been teeming with striking correction officers for the past 18 days. On Thursday, the officers voted to end the strike and return to work.
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
