Alden, N.Y. (WBEN) - Just 24 hours after corrections officers at Collins Correctional and Elmira Correctional facilities went on strike over working conditions and a lack of action from state officials on several matters at state-run prisons, three more local correctional facilities joined the strike on Tuesday.
Guards at Attica Correctional, Wyoming Correctional and Wende Correctional facilities all joined their brothers and sisters on Tuesday, taking part in the strike outside the prisons. Corrections officers taking part tell WBEN there are no plans to end their strike until safety is guaranteed.
The strike began Monday at Collins Correctional and Elmira Correctional after a lockdown at Collins last week came as the result of a confrontation between inmates and guards inside the prison. The lockdown of the facility ended over the weekend, with the frisking of the prison resulting in the confiscation of 23 weapons.
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In a statement released by the State Department of Corrections on Monday, officials say the job actions initiated by some corrections officers are illegal and unlawful, and DOCCS is committed to engaging the union in order to return staff to work and resume normal operations at facilities impacted by the strike.
Visitation at a number of facilities across the state have been cancelled until further notice.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Tuesday she is preparing to deploy the New York National Guard to assist the facilities and corrections officers who are not striking.
"The illegal and unlawful actions being taken by a number of correction officers must end immediately," said Hochul in a statement. "We will not allow these individuals to jeopardize the safety of their colleagues, incarcerated people, and the residents of communities surrounding our correctional facilities. I have directed my Administration to meet with union leadership to resolve this situation and have also ordered the National Guard be mobilized to secure our correctional facilities in the event it is not resolved by tomorrow. Correction officers do difficult work under challenging circumstances, and I have consistently fought for them to have better pay and working conditions and will continue to do so."
Hochul is preparing to deploy members of the New York National Guard to New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) facilities on Wednesday if the unlawful work stoppage does not end, and will begin to take appropriate disciplinary action as necessary.
The governor has also directed her counsel to work with the Office of the Attorney General on legal mechanisms such as the Taylor Law, which will compel employees to return to work.
New York State Police is also assisting NYS DOCCS by providing outer perimeter security at the correctional facilities that experiencing job action strikes or increased staff absences.
Stay tuned for the latest on this developing story...