State to crack down on correction officers to pay fines for violating Taylor Law

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — After the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (NYSDOCCS) said Monday that the correction officer strike is over, the state now wants to crack down on officers who violated the Taylor Law and force individual officers to pay daily fines.

The Taylor Law prohibits public employees from going on strike. The strike began on Feb. 17 with correction officers seeking changes to working conditions, including limits to overtime, a reversal of the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement (HALT) Act, and more.

NYSDOCCS and the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association met in court for a special proceeding on Tuesday.

Hundreds of correction officers, their family members and supporters packed the courthouse. The state said they are no longer seeking jail time for officers who were on strike and instead want to seek monetary compensation.

Assistant Attorney General Christopher Boyd, who is representing the state, said in court that the cost of the strike for the state has been “enormous.”

Last week, Gov. Kathy Hochul said the state had spent more than $25 million responding to the strike. The amount is now expected to be higher.

There seemed to be conflicting numbers in court regarding how many people are on the state’s list for violating the Taylor Law. Boyd said the number 61, but also said the state will have to double check that number because some officers could have had a valid reason for being out on leave.

Justice Dennis Ward did not make a decision in court. He wants to give the state and the union more time to get organized and figure out who exactly is on that list. All parties will meet again virtually on March 20.

Attorney Ralph Lorigo, who’s representing a few hundred correction officers, also spoke in court Tuesday. It’s unclear if the state if going after any of his clients. He told Ward he plans to fight for his clients who lost their health coverage during the strike.

“What has been done here is the heavy hand of Hochul. That’s the way I described it,” he said. “Taking away people’s medical insurance, hurting people’s families, taking away medical leave, that is the heavy hand of Hochul and it should not be allowed. It has to be criticized, A court needs to set it aside.”

Latest Local News

SPCA offers tips for people looking to raise chickens amid high egg prices

Local businesses preparing for potential European wine tariffs

Concord man charged after allegedly euthanizing pet pig, fleeing from police

Buffalo’s semi-pro basketball team hosting regional playoffs

Cheektowaga man charged with attempted sex trafficking

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.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.