In early 2025, a significant strike involving thousands of correctional officers across Upstate New York led to an unexpected economic shift in the region’s hotel industry. Cole Masler of HVS explores the implications of the strike and the subsequent deployment of the New York National Guard on local hotel market performance, particularly in the Middletown area of Orange County.
Background of the Strike
On February 17, 2025, over 25 prisons in Upstate New York experienced a massive walkout by corrections officers. The strike, prompted by grievances over staffing shortages, poor working conditions, and the implementation of the HALT Act—which restricts the use of solitary confinement—lasted 22 days. New York State Governor Kathy Hochul declared the strike illegal under the Taylor Law, which prohibits public employees from going on strike. The conflict concluded in early March when the state and the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) reached a resolution. However, the aftermath resulted in the firing of over 2,000 officers and sergeants, reducing the state’s correctional staff from approximately 13,500 to 11,000…