NYS correction officers strike on day 8 as mediation talks begin

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Mediation talks began Monday morning to end the unsanctioned New York State correction officers strike as it continues for an eighth day. Over the weekend, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) announced officers will be docked a day’s pay for every day they strike.

DOCCS confirmed to WIVB News 4 early Monday night that inmates are being moved from Collins Correctional Facility to other prisons.

“Due to staffing shortages caused by this illegal actions, the Department is in the process of transferring incarcerated individuals from Collins Correctional Facility to other prisons to ensure appropriate use of staff resources,” DOCCS said in a statement.

Discussions on day one included “the need for operational changes, including immediately suspending certain provisions of HALT during the staffing crisis, potential legislative changes to permanently change HALT, elimination of triple shifts, legal mail scanning, no departmental discipline for members considered AWOL, increased recruitment efforts and incentives to bolster staffing,” the correction officers’ union said in an update on Tuesday morning.

As correction officers pound the pavement fighting for better working conditions, News 4 is continuing to hear from people who experienced firsthand what being inside a state prison is like.

Anthony Work was incarcerated between 2013 to 2020. During that time, he moved around at various state prisons, including Bare Hill, Midstate and Collins Correctional Facilities. He served time for a criminal possession of a weapons charge, which was later overturned.

Work said he saw a number of things that made him feel unsafe.

“There were officers that would fall asleep working 32 hours. You put me on a job for any longer than 16 hours, I’m falling asleep. Period,” he said. “They’re physically exhausted.”

Work said that he witnessed a female correction officer almost get assaulted by an inmate and had to intervene. He also called the correction officer to prisoner ratio alarming.

“The COs need help,” Work said. “One CO for 60 inmates is beyond ridiculous. It’s not helping the inmates, it’s not helping the correction officers.”

Daniel Bower is a retired correctional officer who worked at the Wende Correctional Facility. He retired in 2023. He shared similar concerns about the correction officer to prisoner ratio.

“The maximum security prisons have cells. The people who are working in these mediums, they’re in dormitory settings. It’s one officer, possibly two, with 60, 70 inmates,” he said. “How is that ration even close to being safe? It’s not.”

News 4 also caught up with the wife of a correction officer at Wende Correctional Facility. Kristina, who did not want to disclose her last name for personal reasons, said her husband is constantly working long hours and missing important moments in their family.

Kristina also said there have been times when her husband has ended up at the hospital during a shift.

“He’s been injured a few times. It’s pretty sad,” she said. “I get a phone call and I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, what happened?’ and he’s at the hospital. They just want to be able to come home to their family or be safe in a dangerous environment.”

DOCCS said in a statement Monday that the National Guard is continuing to work to maintain the safety of the facilities and the inmates.

It also said it’s working with the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association to negotiate with a mediator, having the goal of “resolving the strike.” The discussions remain ongoing.

“Over the weekend the Department announced that any officer failing to report to work is considered absent without leave and will be docked a day’s pay for every day on strike,” DOCCS said. “Those participating in the illegal job action may face other penalties including termination of state sponsored health insurance, discipline for violating the State’s Taylor Law and the temporary restraining order.”

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Sarah Minkewicz is an Emmy-nominated reporter and Buffalo native who has been a part of the News 4 team since 2019. Follow Sarah on Twitter @SarahMinkewicz and click here to see more of her work.

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