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Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order Wednesday to activate more than 3,500 members of the New York National Guard who will provide security at state prisons amid an ongoing correction officer strike.Ìý

The executive order will also allow correction officers and other employees to receive more overtime pay for working during the strike.Ìý

National Guard soldiers were observed entering Auburn Correctional Facility on Wednesday. The governor's office said advance crews are visiting correctional facilities before a larger deployment.Ìý

At the prisons, National Guard members will support correction staff on site. Their tasks will include distributing meals and medication to incarcerated individuals.Ìý

Hochul's action is part of the state's response to the strike, which is in its third day.Ìý

"These disruptive and unsanctioned work stoppages by some correction officers must end as they are jeopardizing the safety of their colleagues, the prison population and causing undue fear for the residents in the surrounding communities," Hochul said.Ìý

A judge has issued a temporary restraining order mandating correction officers to end their strike. The state filed an injunction under the Public Employees' Fair Employment Act, known as the Taylor Law. The law prohibits public employee strikes.Ìý

Officers at approximately 30 prisons, including Auburn and Cayuga correctional facilities, are protesting unsafe working conditions. Prison violence has spiked and a record 1,760 assaults on staff were reported in 2024.Ìý

An independent mediator, Martin Scheinman, has been retained to help end the work stoppage. The Hochul administration and New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, the union representing state correction officers, have held meetings. A NYSCOPBA spokesman said that negotiations continued Wednesday.Ìý

The strike began Monday at three state prisons. It expanded to nearly 30 facilities, including Auburn and Cayuga, on Tuesday.Ìý

During the strike, programs are on hold and visitation has been canceled. Family members of incarcerated individuals report other services, including medical care, have been affected.

According to the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the striking officers have several demands. They want the state to repeal a solitary confinement law and proposed changes to boost recruitment. DOCCS has been actively recruiting new employees to address a staffing shortage.Ìý

In its response to the demands, DOCCS noted that they would require legislative action or violate NYSCOPBA's contract that was ratified in 2024.Ìý

The strike is the first by state correction officers since 1979. While there have been other public employee strikes over the years, those were supported by unions. NYSCOPBA did not sanction the ongoing strike and has urged its members to return to work.Ìý

Hochul has criticized the strike and pledged Wednesday to "not allow this chaos to continue." 

"While I am confident we will resolve this illegal strike, I am grateful for the thousands of correction officers and staff that are continuing to report for duty — I thank them for their continued service and for doing the right thing," she said.Ìý