Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - One local attorney is calling on New York State corrections officers to join him next week as he argues sanctions facing striking guards who did not return to the job.
The call comes as the state offered a deal to striking officers that returned to work Friday. While no official numbers were released by either side in the dispute, a number of striking officers did make the decision to return to their shifts Friday, while many also remained out on the strike lines.
In a notice obtained by WBEN late Friday, the union representing corrections officers, the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOBA), said it was returning to the table wit the state Friday night for further negotiations.
Speaking with WBEN's David Bellavia on Friday, Ralph Lorigo says what the state's been doing is wrong, especially with only 70% staffing and mandatory shifts of 24-to-48 hours.
"When I'm in court on Tuesday morning at 11 o'clock, hopefully I'm going to find the judge listening to these arguments and understanding that these correction officers need help," said Lorigo with WBEN.
He says that's when the state will ask for imprisonment for those who remained on strike.
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According to Lorigo, the state wants to take away health care for those who have walked off the job as well. He's encouraging people to tell their state legislators that they need to be reasonable.
"They can't take away health care and hurt people's families. They need to come to a reasonable conclusion of this, and there is reasonable conclusions we have put forth," Lorigo said, including more staffing, metal detectors for visitors, and screening of packages.
The hearing will be Tuesday morning at 11 a.m. at the ceremonial courthouse on 92 Franklin Street, which is on the second floor.