CO union: unaffiliated individuals have been interfering behind the scenes

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Members unaffiliated with the organization representing thousands of correction officers across New York State still on strike have been interfering with negotiations, the union said in a letter to members obtained by WIVB News 4.

As of Tuesday night, around 8,000 workers are still on strike. The strike began on Feb. 17 at Collins Correctional Facility in Gowanda, and spread to 38 of New York’s 42 state prisons.

“Unfortunately, individuals unaffiliated with NYSCOPBA (New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association) have attempted to negotiate behind the scenes, making requests that are neither legally obtainable nor permissible, ultimately weakening our efforts,” the letter reads.

Officers on strike for the 17th day on Wednesday continue to demand safer work conditions, the end of mandated overtime with 24-hour shifts, and the repeal of the HALT Act, which limits the number of days of solitary confinement for incarcerated individuals, among other directives.

The state and the union have continued to work to come to an agreement, while some correction officers have gone back to work in recent days. The two sides had formal mediation meetings for several days since the strike began, and continued to meet after those formal meetings concluded.

The Taylor Law prohibits public employees from striking, and the state has looked into punishment for officers still on strike, including fines and imprisonment. The union is continuing to encourage the remaining officers on strike to return.

“Despite the best intentions of all involved – including even those operating outside of NYSCOPBA – there is a consensus that no real progress can be made until members begin returning to work, including the implementation of changes obtained in the consent award and other proposed lists of demands,” the letter goes on to say.

The New York Times reported that seven prison inmates have died since the strike began, including a 22-year-old inmate at Mid-State Correctional Facility in Oneida County on March 1. Governor Kathy Hochul subsequently ordered DOCCS (Department of Corrections and Community Supervision) to put 15 employees on leave while the death is investigated.

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Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.

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