UPDATE: As corrections officers across New York continue to strike over what they claim are unsafe working conditions, we will be posting any updates that become available on our website here.
ORIGINAL: A growing number of corrections officers across New York State are going on strike over what they claim are unsafe working conditions.
According to the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA), the union representing the officers, as of Wednesday afternoon, there are about 30 correctional facilities in which "officers/sergeants are participating in either protesting current working conditions inside the prisons or refusing to enter for their scheduled shift."
NYSCOPBA said it has not sanctioned or condoned these actions and several facilities are not participating and are operating normally.
"The leadership of NYSCOPBA met with DOCCS officials and representatives of the Governor’s Office yesterday morning to discuss the well documented concerns of the members that has led to the current situation. Negotiations with the State have continued throughout today between NYSCOPBA and the Governor’s Office towards a resolution," a release says.
On Wednesday, in response to the strike, Governor Kathy Hochul announced she has signed an executive order activating members of the New York National Guard "to help ensure the safety and security of New York State's correctional facilities" while the strike continues. You can watch our full report below and read more here.
On Tuesday, New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision issued a statement in response to the strike as well as a response to a series of demands from the striking officers.
In response to the series of demands from the striking officers, DOCCS said:
"The striking correction officers have made demands that would require changing laws and violating their own collective bargaining agreement. DOCCS responses to the demands are below:"
Demands from Strikers:
- Reversal of HALT Bill
Response – this is not something that the Governor nor the agency can do unilaterally, it is a law and would require legislation. - No 30% staffing reduction/reassignments
Response – The Commissioner issued a memorandum acknowledging the current vacancy rate among the Correction Officer title, which is a national issue in Corrections. His direction was for Superintendents and unions to work collaboratively at each prison to identify efficiencies in order to provide relief to the hard working men and women who are Correction Officers within the facilities. It is NOT a staffing cut, but a way to ensure staff have a work life balance while we continue to pursue a variety of recruitment initiatives, such as the regional recruitment and the currently proposed legislation to allow the Department to hire out-of-state residence. - Grandfather of Tier 5 &6 to Tier 3
Response – this is not something that the Governor nor the agency can do unilaterally, it is a law and would require legislation. - True secure vendor program – no further use of third party vendors
Response – DOCCS implemented the vendor package program upon recommendation of the Prison Violence Task Force, which members of NYSCOPBA sit on, that sought to improve facility security for staff and incarcerated individuals by addressing the significant increase in the number of packages found to contain contraband drugs and weapons. The program has been very successful in reducing the amount of contraband found in incoming packages from 920 package room recoveries in 2020 to 34 recoveries in 2024, a 96 percent reduction. The DOCCS Office of Special Investigations (OSI) K9 unit has also been expanded and is used successfully to prevent contraband entering the state’s prisons. - Incoming Mail to be photocopied or scanned to incarcerated individuals through JPay email.
Response – DOCCS staff have been photocopying incoming mail for incarcerated individuals in all facilities except for the Edgecombe Residential Transitional Facility in an effort to stem the flow of contraband into our correctional facilities. DOCCS continues to explore a variety of options to address incoming legal mail. Last week, in response to recent incidents, the Department implemented a program whereby staff contact the law office for each piece of legal mail to verify it is from the law office prior to opening and delivery to the incarcerated individual. - Mandates body-scans for visitors
Response – The Governor advanced article VII language to allow for the Department to use Body Scanners. The final version allows for the scanners to be used on Visitors, Incarcerated and Staff, with all having the option to decline. The Department has deployed 88 Body Scanners that are being used on visitors and the incarcerated, with the majority of staff opting out of being scanned. Any changes to the opt out provisions would require legislation. - Fulfilment of previously promised Geography pay
Response – The Department continues to look at a variety of options in order to increase recruitment and retainment of staff, including various scenarios pertaining to a salary enhancement or referral incentive. We have raised the starting salary for Correction Officers by $6,500, launched a regional recruitment campaign, and recently entered into a new collective bargaining agreement that includes yearly salary increases, increases in location pay, and paid parental leave - Timeliness of Staff disciplinary actions
Response – This violates the collective bargaining agreement that was recently ratified by the membership which outlines the timeline for discipline to occur. - Pat grade increase to 17 for security and 20 for Sergeants
Response – The Commissioner has indicated to Civil Service that he supports a one grade increase, but not more than a two grade increase, for Correction Officer and Correction Sergeant. - Facility Superintendents have the power to lockdown their facility and program closures based on immediate necessity of their given facility, without repercussions.
Response – Facility Superintendents have been authorized to close programs and notifying central office by the submission of an unusual incident. Full facility lockdowns require the Commissioners approval. - Representation of security staff separate from the Collective Bargaining Unit
Response – NYSCOPBA is the recognized bargaining agency for Correction Officers and Sergeants. The request as written is not clear. - Recruiting suggestions
- 20 year retirement
- Incentive Hiring Bonus
- 2.5 times pay for all OT on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
- 2 times pay for all OT on Monday through Thursday
- No OT mandates over 16 hours
- Step Raises adjusted to top rate at 15 years
- Retention benefit of 25 year retirement lock, guaranteeing security families to receive full retirement after 25 years.
Response – a number of the items listed above would require some form of legislation in order to affect.
On Tuesday we also spoke with the families and supporters of these officers, who are raising their voices in frustration over unsafe conditions. You can watch our report below and read more here.
You can find more of our coverage of the strike on our website here.
