Additional Coverage:
- New York fires more than 2,000 prison guards for refusing to return to work after illegal strike (foxnews.com)
Over 2,000 New York prison guards fired after weekslong strike.
More than 2,000 New York State correctional officers were terminated Monday after failing to return to work following a weekslong illegal strike. While a tentative agreement was reached over the weekend between the state and the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association, it was contingent on at least 85% of the staff returning by Monday morning. This benchmark was not met, leading to the mass firings.
“After 22 days of an illegal strike, it is now over,” stated Corrections Commissioner Daniel Martuscello. Although the 85% return-to-work goal was unmet, some provisions of the agreement will be honored, including those related to overtime.
Approximately 10,000 security staff are now available to work in state prisons, significantly down from pre-strike levels of around 13,500. The National Guard, deployed by Governor Kathy Hochul during the strike, will remain in place to bolster staffing levels while the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision undertakes an aggressive recruitment campaign.
The strike, initiated on February 17th, stemmed from guards’ frustrations over working conditions. In the wake of the walkout, inmate complaints regarding deteriorating conditions have also surfaced.
This situation is further complicated by ongoing investigations into inmate deaths at several facilities, including the recent death of 22-year-old Messiah Nantwi at Mid-State Correctional Facility. A special prosecutor is investigating this case, with several officers placed on administrative leave.
The agreement reached over the weekend included a 90-day suspension of a state law limiting the use of solitary confinement, a key concern for the correctional officers. This pause will allow for evaluation of the law’s impact on staff and inmate safety. Additionally, guards will work 12-hour shifts, and those who participated in the strike but returned by the Monday deadline will not face disciplinary action.