State representatives, correction officers union meet in State Supreme Court

BUFFALO N.Y. (WIVB) — Representatives from the state, the Department of Corrections, and the union representing correction officers came together in State Supreme Court Tuesday, almost a week after a judge granted a temporary order to stop the strikes.

All parties in the courtroom agreed that they want to put an end to the unsanctioned strike and get people back to work.

Dennis Vacco, who is representing NYSCOBPA said, “a resolution is going to happen in mediation, not the courtroom.”

Vacco made it clear that the union does not sanction this job action and he’s “mindful there could be dire consequences down the road.” However, he remains optimistic in giving mediators enough time to get to a resolution.

Assistant Attorney General Christopher Boyd, who represents the state, was also inside the courtroom. He told Judge Dennis Ward if he’s given orders from the Governor’s office to issue violations against the temporary order, that is what they will do.

Boyd says DOCCS’ position is the strike is illegal and he does not think the state’s Taylor Law has any “wiggle room.”

Governor Kathy Hochul spoke on the strike Tuesday.

“We offered them amnesty after a day or two. They could’ve gone back. You’ve made your point. Thank you. We hear you. I get it,” she said. “The hours and shifts are too long, but when they’re not represented by a union and I’m negotiating with a union, I’m asking the union, what do they want?”

Hochul said the state has already given in to some of the demands correction officers have made.

“We suspended parts of the Halt Act,” she said. “We rescinded a memo that, because of our shortages, 70 percent would constitute 100 percent staffing. That was gone within a few days. That was perhaps instigating some of this. We have taken steps to calm the situation down, provide them what they’re able to provide, and working to find how we can have shorter shifts for them.”

The temporary order remains in effect.

It was decided that both parties will dial in to a phone conference Monday morning before meeting back in the courtroom later next week, unless mediation talks lead to a resolution or fall apart.

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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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