BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Corrections officers across New York are going on strike over what they claim are unsafe working conditions inside state prisons. As new updates become available, we will be posting them below.
Tuesday, February 25 update
7 p.m. update
Nearly a week and a half into the strike, Governor Kathy Hochul seems confused about what the striking officers want.
“We want to find out what the issue is, because the individuals who walked out in an unsanctioned strike, unapproved by the union, have yet to tell us the issues,” Hochul said earlier Tuesday.
Many of the current and former workers 7 News reporter Derek Heid spoke to outside of Attica Correctional on Tuesday said they were stunned to hear that.
Q: “What is your reaction to what the Governor said?”
Former NYS Corrections Officer, Larry Lewis: “Do you really want to know what they want? Have you sent any personnel down here to inquire about what they want? I think it’s pretty crystal clear what’s wanted, and I’m retired, I’ve been retired for 8 years…These working conditions put them in a very harmful and dangerous situations and circumstances.”
You can watch our full report below.
12 p.m. update
Governor Kathy Hochul addressed the ongoing strike during a news conference Tuesday. She said the "illegal actions taken by a number of individuals is putting the entire state at risk."
You can watch the governor's full remarks in the video directly below.
7 News reporter Derek Heid was told the union is hoping to negotiate a deal that would convince members to go back to work.
Otherwise, the attorneys representing the state said in court Tuesday that if those mediation talks break down, Governor Kathy Hochul may call to charge the workers continuing to strike with breaking the Taylor Law and ignoring a judge’s order to stop the strike.
Already, more than 300 COs have been listed in this ongoing court case.
“The proceedings have started. I think we have 380 people on the first list through the attorney general’s office. They are being served by state police as we speak,” Hochul said.
We're told those mediation meetings are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday and will go through the night if they have to.
9 a.m. update
NYSCOPBA shared an update on the mediation meetings that began Monday. The union sent the following statement to 7 News:
"Day 1 of mediation concluded late yesterday afternoon and there were extensive discussions with the State and DOCCS on the need for operational changes, including immediately suspending certain provisions of HALT during the staffing crisis, potential legislative changes to permanently change HALT, elimination of triple shifts, legal mail scanning, no departmental discipline for members considered AWOL, increased recruitment efforts and incentives to bolster staffing."
Monday, February 24 update
8 p.m. update
NYS DOCCS said inmates are being transferred out of Collins Correctional Facility due to staffing shortages caused by the strikes. You can read the full statement below.
"The ongoing illegal actions of certain COs who refuse to show up to work are putting the safety and well-being of New Yorkers at risk. Due to staffing shortages caused by these illegal actions, the Department is in the process of transferring incarcerated individuals from Collins Correctional Facility to other prisons to ensure appropriate use of staff resources."
6 p.m. update
New York State police are investigating vandalism involving two buses used to transport incarcerated individuals who are in the custody of DOCCS.
According to police, the rear of one of the buses sustained heavy fire damage and a second bus had the message “can you hear us now” spray painted on one side.
Police said the buses are owned by a company contracted by DOCCS. They were parked in a storage lot on State Route 370 in the Town of Victory.
Anyone with information is asked to call NYS Police Troop E at 585-398-4100.
Saturday, February 22 update
10 p.m. update
A New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision spokesperson told 7 News reporter Derek Heid that workers currently on strike would receive their state-sponsored health insurance back once they return to their roles within DOCCS.
"The restoration of an employee’s insurance is directly tied to the employee’s return to work and being in full pay status."
8 p.m. update
The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision told 7 News reporter Derek Heid that the state has begun penalizing the corrections workers on strike.
The state said that those workers are being docked pay for every day on strike, will face administrative penalties for violating the state’s Taylor Law and a judge’s temporary restraining order and now, their state-sponsored health insurance will be terminated.
“COs continuing to take part in this illegal job action are violating the law. They will be considered absent without leave (AWOL) and are being docked pay for every day on strike. Also, as a result of their status, the state will terminate their state sponsored health insurance. In addition, those participating in the illegal job action will face administrative penalties along with Department discipline for violating the State’s Taylor Law and a judge’s temporary restraining order.”
The state also mentioned that the memo sent out to the workers on strike Thursday did result in “several” officers returning to their posts:
“[Saturday] is the sixth day where correction officers (CO) have illegally walked off the job, risking the safety and security of our correctional facilities. This action is undermining the safety of COs currently on the job, the incarcerated population, and the dozens of communities where prisons are located.
Commissioner Martuscello’s memo from earlier this week outlined that those continuing to work in facilities would receive a temporary increased overtime pay rate. It also provided immunity from discipline for those walking off the picket line and returning to work, resulting in several officers returning to duty. In addition, the mediation process between DOCCS and NYSCOPBA on safety and recruitment — led by NYSCOPBA’s preferred mediator — began on Friday and that process is ongoing.”
7 News reporter Derek Heid did reach out to NYSCOPBA for comment, but he was told they are "reserving comment" for now.
Friday, February 21 update
5:30 p.m. update
We spoke with a former corrections officer about how he feels about Independent mediator Martin Scheinman, of Scheinman Arbitration and Mediation Services, being retained to bring an end to the strike.
Q: “Do you have any worries about the mediator?”
Former NYS Correction Officer, Mike Knowles: “Well he’s bought and paid for by Albany, we know that.”
Scheinman has donated more than $400,000 to both Republican and Democrat lawmakers over the past 20 years, although a majority to Democrats, including a $1,000 donation to Kathy Hochul when she was Lieutenant Governor.
We did get a chance to speak with Scheinman. We asked him if he was concerned about any conflict of interest. He said he was first contacted by the NYSCOPBA union to mediate these negotiations, not the state.
Regardless of the union requesting his services first, he also said he has no worries about a conflict of interest. He said he’s made donations for decades and has never once had his neutrality questioned over the course of the thousands of cases his company has worked on.
1:30 p.m. update
The date of the first mediation meeting has been moved up to Monday. 7 News Reporter Derek Heid is told that this is due to the urgency of the situation.
I just spoke with Martin Scheinman, the mediator of the negotiations between New York State and the Corrections Workers on strike.I’m told due to the urgency of the situation, the days of mediation have been moved up to begin on Monday, February 24. @WKBW pic.twitter.com/VfrjRny0pG
— Derek Heid (@DerekHeid) February 21, 2025
Thursday, February 20 update
5 p.m. update
NYSCOPBA issued a statement on Thursday evening which said in part:
"We have been continuing to advocate with the State on your behalf regarding working conditions in our prisons. We have made our concerns and our demands for improvements very clear.
Today, DOCCS, in conjunction with Governor Hochul’s office, announced the following changes to DOCCS operations: (1) provisions of HALT will be suspended indefinitely due to the staffing crisis (NYSCOPBA will use mediation to help identify the most problematic provisions to be targeted first); (2) the National Guard will maintain its presence in all facilities indefinitely to ensure safety and staffing levels (which will allow staff to have a better work/life balance); (3) 2.5 OT for all OT worked by staff, including those who come back to work, for a minimum of 30 days (we are working to extend this further); (4) DOCCS will rescind the “70/30” memo; (5) those staff members who return to work by 11:59 pm today will not receive NODs for alleged participation in the strike (this does not include 2-for-1 fines, which we will address in mediation); and (6) the State will participate in mediation with NYSCOPBA to discuss and resolve outstanding issues facing our membership.
Although this does not address all our membership’s needs and concerns, we believe that this is a first step towards the operational changes that need to be made."
4 p.m. update
Independent mediator Martin Scheinman released a statement which said in part:
"I have determined it is in the parties’ best interests to set an aggressive mediation schedule to discuss numerous outstanding issues fueling the strike. The parties will conduct an introductory informational session this week via Zoom to present an overview of initial positions and issues. Three days of mediation shall be conducted on February 25, 26, and 27, 2025. Additional days shall be scheduled as needed."
Scheinman said the following mediation teams will attend:
NYSCOPBA:
(1) President Chris Summers
(2) Executive Vice President Matt Keough
(3) William P. Golderman (counsel)
(4) Gregory T. Myers (counsel)
(5) Keith R. Jacques (counsel)
The State of New York:
(1) Office of Employee Relations Director Michael Volforte
(2) DOCCS Commissioner Daniel Martuscello
2 p.m. update
NYS DOCCS issued a memo on a "Path to Restoring Workforce" as corrections officers continue to strike across the state.
According to the memo, the department will suspend "the elements of HALT that cannot safely be operationalized under a prison wide state of emergency until we can safely operate the prisons."
DOCCS Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III says in part that DOCCS will continue to work with NYSCOPBA (the union representing the officers), that the safety and security of the staff and incarcerated population is paramount to him and he urged all those on strike to return to the facilities on Thursday.
You can read more, including the full memo, here.
10 a.m. update
DOCCS says visitation has been canceled until further notice at all facilities statewide.
Wednesday, February 19 update
Officers at about 30 correctional facilities across the state are now participating in a protest or refusing to enter the facility for their scheduled shift.
Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order activating members of the National Guard "to help ensure the safety and security of New York State's correctional facilities" while the strike continues.
The governor's office says more than 3,500 members of the National Guard started reporting for duty at correctional facilities ahead of the larger deployment.
The executive order also allows for additional overtime compensation for correction officers and other staff who are reporting for duty and actively working at the facilities.
Governor Hochul also directed the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision and the Office of Employee Relations to retain independent mediator Martin Scheinman to help bring an end to the strike.
In addition, New York State filed an injunction under the Taylor Law and a judge granted a temporary restraining order that mandates officers end the strike.
Tuesday, February 18 update
The strike expanded to at least nine prisons across the state.
A NYSCOPBA leader said he traveled to Albany to speak about the situation with state lawmakers.
The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision issued a response to the list of demands the corrections officers were making.
Governor Kathy Hochul said the state was prepared to deploy the National Guard if the strikes did not end by Wednesday.
The state said the decision to potentially deploy the National Guard was to "protect correction officers who are currently on the job, individuals in DOCCS care and the communities surrounding these correctional facilities."
In addition, the state called on DOCCS Commissioner Daniel Martuscello and senior officials to meet with leaders from NYSCOPBA to call for an end to the strike.
We spoke with the families and supporters of the striking officers on Tuesday, who were raising their voices in frustration over unsafe conditions. You can watch our report below and read more here.
Monday, February 17 update
Corrections officers are going on strike, claiming unsafe working conditions. Strkes are underway at Collins and Elmira Correctional Facilities. The New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association said they do not sanction them.
NYSCOPBA later issued the following statement:
"NYSCOPBA is keenly aware of the current situation at both Collins and Elmira Correctional Facilities. The staff that have gathered outside of both facilities, and who refused to enter the facility for their respective shifts, was not in any way sanctioned by NYSCOPBA.
At both facilities, staff chose to not enter for their work shifts as a result of their discontentment with current working conditions.
NYSCOPBA will continue to monitor both situations and all inquiries on current staffing levels at both facilities should be directed to DOCCS.
As the situation evolves, we will keep you updated as best as possible."
The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) followed up with this response:
“Since Commissioner Martuscello took office, the State negotiated a new labor agreement with NYSCOPBA that includes yearly salary increases, increases in location pay, and paid parental leave. We have also instituted new policies and procedures to reduce the amount of contraband entering our facilities to increase the safety of all within our facilities. We value our employees and are dedicated to continuing the recruiting efforts to increase security staffing in all DOCCS correctional facilities to restore the important work life balance for all.
“The job actions initiated by some rogue NYSCOPBA members, at Collins and Elmira Correctional Facilities this morning are illegal and unlawful. We are committed to engaging the union in order to return staff to work and resume normal operations at the two facilities.
“Visitation at both facilities have been cancelled until further notice.”
The strikes come following a three-day lockdown at Collins Correctional Facility that ended Saturday after all inmates were frisked and more than 20 weapons were recovered.
