Gov. Kathy Hochul marked the ninth day of the New York correction officer strike by renewing her call for the "illegal actions" to end and urging the striking guards to return to work.Ìý
Hochul provided an update on the strike during an event Tuesday in Albany. The walkout began Feb. 17 and spread to most correctional facilities, including Auburn and Cayuga, within days.Ìý
The work stoppage was not sanctioned by the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, the union representing most correction officers. Public employee strikes are illegal in New York.Ìý
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Correction officers participating in the strike are protesting unsafe working conditions, mandated overtime and other issues outlined in a list of demands submitted to the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. DOCCS responded that the demands would require legislative action or violate the contract ratified by the union in 2024.Ìý
The Hochul administration and NYSCOPBA are in mediation to end the strike. The meetings began Monday with Martin Scheinman, an independent mediator.Ìý
The state has "done everything we can to encourage them to get back to work," Hochul said. A judge issued a temporary restraining order requiring the correction officers to return to their posts, but they defied the order and continued to strike.Ìý
Correction officers at Auburn Correctional Facility hold the line Feb. 19 on the third day of their strike to protest unsafe working conditions.
DOCCS has temporarily suspended a solitary confinement reform law, known as HALT, after Hochul declared a state of emergency due to the strike. The department also rescinded a memo that would've considered 70% as full staffing levels in prisons.Ìý
Striking officers were told they would not face penalties if they returned to work by 11:59 p.m. Thursday. Those who continue to participate in the strike are considered absent without leave and will be docked pay. They will also lose their health insurance and face other penalties for violating state law prohibiting public employee strikes.Ìý
"We have tried hard to end this — I've had conversations with many, many leaders — but we need a good faith effort to resolve this, starting now," Hochul said.
"I'm prepared to do that. I understand there's a lot of frustrations about the long hours. I have long stood with the corrections officers of this state — more than, I'm going to guess, any other governor — and say, 'These conditions are hard.' I understand that. We need more of you on the job. I get that."Â
With numerous officers participating in the strike, Hochul activated the National Guard to provide security at prisons affected by the strike. She said Tuesday that 6,500 National Guard members have been deployed to correctional facilities, including Auburn.Ìý
Hochul said she is grateful to the correction officers who continue to show up for their shifts and "want to get back to work in a normal setting."Â
"We will get there as soon as possible," she continued. "These are difficult, difficult jobs. I know that... But people took an oath of office to protect the public. We have to get back to ensure that that oath is kept."Â
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
