Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - As the strike by some corrections officers continues into its third week, the union representing the COs says talks remain ongoing with officials in New York State.
During a Wednesday news conference, James Miller of the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) says the strike wasn't as a result of one particular incident.
"It was a situation that had been mounting for years, pointing back to the HALT Act that went into effect in April of 2022," said Miller on Wednesday. "This is a situation where NYSCOPBA has voiced the membership concerns to the state and DOCCS [Department of Corrections and Community Supervision] time-and-time again about the ongoing violence as a result of HALT, the mandatory overtime, the lack of work-life balance for the members. And that basically led to the brink of what occurred on Feb. 17."
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Miller says the union has worked diligently to try and encourage members to go back to work, as negotiations continue to work towards reforms that will make every prison safer.
However, there is another concern that Miller has.
"There's some outside interests that are operating in an attempt to negotiate on some members' behalf that don't have their best interest, or have a personal agenda in this," Miller said.
He stresses NYSCOPBA is still advocating for members very strongly, and will continue to do so until a resolution is reached.
Meanwhile, Miller does not believe that any talks are at an impasse.
"Obviously you had the Consent Award by the mediator when DOCCS, NYSCOPBA and the state entered into mediation from there. There were issues that were addressed to HALT, to mandatory overtime, and then it was up to the individual officers to decide whether they wanted to return to work or continue to strike," Miller said, even though he says it was a non-sanctioned strike.
In addition, there is no word on any termination letters being sent out by New York State, according to Miller. He adds the union continues to encourage those still striking to return to the job.