水果派AV

Gov. Kathy Hochul is ready to deploy the New York National Guard to state prisons if the correction officer strike doesn't end Wednesday.聽

The National Guard would be used to secure the correctional facilities where the strike is affecting staffing levels. Auburn and Cayuga correctional facilities in Cayuga County are among the prisons where correction officers are on strike.聽

The strike began Monday at a few state facilities, but it grew Tuesday with many more officers participating in the statewide protest against unsafe working conditions.聽

Hochul called on the correction officers to end their "illegal and unlawful" strike immediately.聽

"We will not allow these individuals to jeopardize the safety of their colleagues, incarcerated people and the residents of communities surrounding our correctional facilities," Hochul said.聽

With more officers participating in the strike, it is affecting operations at several state prisons. Visitation has been canceled at seven prisons, including Auburn. Programs and other services for incarcerated individuals are reportedly on hold due to the protest.聽

Daniel Martuscello, commissioner of the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, was directed by Hochul to meet with Chris Summers, president of the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association. The union, which represents state correction officers, did not sanction the strike and has urged its members to return to work.聽

Martuscello and members of the Hochul administration met with Summers and NYSCOPBA's executive board. During that meeting, according to Martuscello, they discussed "a path forward" to end the strike.聽

"The safety and security of the staff and incarcerated population is paramount to me," Martuscello said. "I value the hard work and commitment of the men and women at DOCCS who have had to sacrifice time with their families due to the current staffing shortage.

"However, this illegal job action involving NYSCOPBA members is causing irreparable harm to the operations of the department and jeopardizing the safety and security of their coworkers within these facilities."聽

State law prohibits public employee strikes. That has not deterred correction officers from taking extraordinary action to protest unsafe working conditions, which are driven by increased violence in prisons. There was a record number of assaults on staff in 2024 and NYSCOPBA has highlighted multiple incidents in which officers were injured.聽

The striking officers have a long list of demands, including repeal of the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement Act and several recruitment strategies to address the staffing shortage. DOCCS says the demands would require legislative action or violate the existing collective bargaining agreement. NYSCOPBA ratified a three-year contract in 2024.聽

Hochul praised correction officers for their "difficult work under challenging circumstances." Her office highlighted steps taken to boost pay for correction officers and increase recruitment.聽

But she panned the strike and raised the possibility that employees could be disciplined for participating in the protest. She has also directed her counsel to explore ways to force correction officers to return to work.聽