Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - After 22 days, multiple negotiations and over 2,000 terminations, the corrections officers wildcat strike in New York State has come to an end.
Although the corrections officers' demand for the HALT ACT to be repealed was never satisfied, local labor attorney Robert Boreanaz says the strike still produced surprising results.
"If you look at the deal reached between the state and the corrections officers union, you can see what would be, essentially, a checklist of items that the striking correctional officers were trying to accomplish. So I think in most respects, the striking corrections officers achieved, at least on a temporary basis, relief from those concerns and perhaps into the future, some future deals that might instill more permanent corrections," stated Boreanaz in an interview with WBEN.
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Because there is still a lack of corrections officers, the State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision is planning on launching an aggressive hiring campaign. However, Boreanaz says getting people to apply is going to be a tough hill to climb.
"The reputation is horrible," Boreanaz said bluntly. "The Department of Corrections has really got to make some systematic and statewide changes as to how it treats its employees and and what the working conditions are within those jails, if it intends to make any headway in and trying to solicit the new employees to come to work for them."
According to the deal that was reached, 85% of the striking corrections officers needed to return to work by 6:45 a.m. Monday, or else it wouldn't go into effect. Although the return quota was not fulfilled, the department is still going to follow through with the deal.
Similar to the other deals, this one offers a 90-day suspension of the HALT Act, and corrections officers will work 12-hour shifts until more help is hired.