Albany, N.Y. (WBEN) – New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is taking action against correction officers who refused to return to work on Monday by signing an Executive Order barring protesters from being hired by state agencies.
The governor released details of her prison recovery plan to staff and secure correctional facilities across New York State on Tuesday following the 22-day strike. A deal was reached over the weekend by the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) and the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA), sending thousands of striking officers back to work.
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Nearly 2,000 prison guards were fired for not returning to work by the deadline. The plan also recommends removing those striking workers from the Central Registry of Police and Peace Officers for cause, preventing them from being hired as Police or Peace Officers.
Hochul’s blueprint for prison recovery includes efforts to increase recruitment and hiring with a higher starting pay.
More than 6,000 National Guard service members continue to be deployed inside state prisons to maintain safety and security alongside the security and civilian staff. The guards could be stationed for up to a year while the rebuilding process continues.
Despite not meeting the 85% return of the guard population, the state says it will move forward with the terms of the latest agreement reached over the weekend.