Alden, N.Y. (WBEN) - A large number of corrections officers across New York remain on strike heading into the weekend, despite a tentative agreement late Thursday night between the union representing the COs and the state.
Part of the tentative agreement outlines that any corrections officer who remains on strike will lose their health insurance. As of Saturday, dozens of corrections officers confirmed to WBEN they are no longer covered as a result of their participation in the strike.
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Between 150-to-200 corrections officers and others in the Alden community were outside the Wende Correctional Facility on Saturday, taking part in the strike that has nearly reached two full weeks.
According to one anonymous corrections officer speaking with WBEN on Saturday, around 30 guards returned to work since the agreement was reached.
"They are my brothers and sisters. I don't hold it against them. We all have our own issues at home. There are a lot of threats being made, threats about our health insurance, threats about arrest, and the majority of those threats are unfounded. They're not going to happen," said the anonymous corrections officer with WBEN. "However, I can't tell you what to do with your family, and you do what's best for your family. You're still my brother. You're still my sister, whether you're working inside the prison or you're next to me out here, outside."
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The same anonymous corrections officer says for the rest of those who are on strike, their battle is far from over.
"This doesn't affect us. We're not scared. We're not going away. We're not going back to work. Worst case scenario, I resign, and I've got a majority of officers that are also going to resign if things don't change," he explained.