State officers got here to an settlement late Thursday with hanging correction officers that enables them to keep away from punishment for the unlawful work stoppage so long as they return to work early Friday.
State Correction Commissioner Daniel Martuscello mentioned he had agreed to a memorandum of understanding with the strikers that reinstates dozens of officers who’ve been terminated or resigned, foregoes self-discipline and adjourns any contempt proceedings towards them, and incorporates parts aimed toward addressing complaints about work hours and security issues.
“This reflects the will of the people on the line,” he mentioned throughout a night press convention. “I heard you. I received your demands, and I received your terms. We need you, we want you. We recognize the important work you do.”
The strike started Feb. 17 and swelled to some 12,500 officers at 38 to 40 of the state’s 42 prisons. Gov. Hochul deployed 1000’s of members of the Nationwide Guard. On Thursday, the size of the strike matched a earlier 17-day work stoppage in 1979.
The deal would additionally create a committee to look at the HALT Act, a legislation limiting solitary confinement that the strikers have mentioned makes their jobs much less protected. Martuscello additionally pledged to remove 24-hour excursions and mentioned he has ordered superintendents to honor days off.
A wild card within the proceedings is that the union representing correction officers — the state Correction Officers Police Benevolent Affiliation — has refused to signal the settlement, union spokesman James Miller mentioned.
“NYSCOPBA was not appropriately engaged in the development of the currently circulating agreement. This agreement was not negotiated with NYSCOPBA — the legally recognized entity through which all negotiations must be conducted,” Miller mentioned.
“There are substantial legal issues that must be addressed, and as presented, this agreement does not represent the best interests of our membership.”
Martuscello mentioned union President Chris Summers had promised to signal the settlement however then declined. Earlier within the strike, a mediation between the state and the union led to a previous deal that was then rejected by the strikers.
“The fact that the union will not now deliver what the membership wants and have now decided to dismiss this [memorandum of understanding], I’ll let you draw your own conclusions,” Martuscello mentioned.
Officers will stay on 12-hour excursions till the poststrike fallout stabilizes, however the officers’ days off can be honored, Martuscello mentioned. The medical insurance of officers that had been withdrawn can be reinstated, he mentioned.
The creation of the HALT committee possible will draw extra criticism from supporters of the legislation, who’ve loudly objected to any adjustments and say even earlier than the strike there have been points with correction officers failing to use some components of the legislation.
Martuscello mentioned the weather round necessities to supply programming for the prisoners would proceed to be suspended beneath a 90-day emergency exception within the legislation.
He mentioned the company will pursue wider use of scanning of inmate mail, one other coverage extensively criticized by advocates, and can introduce extra use of airport-level physique scanners to the prisons.
Any officers who don’t return to work Friday will really feel the wrath of the state, in line with Jackie Bray, commissioner of state Homeland Safety.
“This deal is for those who return tomorrow and only for those who have previously returned, remained on the job or return tomorrow,” Bray mentioned. “Any correction officers or any sergeants who does not return tomorrow, the terms will not apply. And this deal will not be offered again.”
Initially Revealed: March 6, 2025 at 8:50 PM EST
