Hochul admin offers another deal to New York prison workers in desperate attempt to end strike

A Desperate Attempt to End the Strike

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration is taking an unprecedented step to end the ongoing strike by correction officers in New York prisons. The state is offering a new deal directly to the striking guards, bypassing the correction officers union, in a desperate attempt to restore order and staffing at over 30 prisons. The strike, which began on February 17, has left the prison system in chaos, with thousands of National Guard troops deployed to manage the facilities. The correction officers walked off the job to protest unsafe working conditions, particularly stemming from the HALT law, which governs solitary confinement and has been a point of contention for officers who argue it limits their ability to maintain control and safety within the prisons.

In an effort to address these concerns, the new deal proposes the establishment of a special committee focused on safety, which would address issues related to the HALT law. This move is part of a broader attempt to meet the officers’ demands and encourage them to return to work by Friday. The administration is hopeful that the new terms will be enough to end the strike, which has now entered its 18th day.

Safety and Solitary Confinement: The Core Issues

The HALT law has been a central issue for correction officers, who claim it hampers their ability to manage unruly inmates and maintain a safe working environment. In response, the new proposal includes a 90-day suspension of certain aspects of the law, a key concession aimed at addressing the officers’ concerns. Additionally, the proposed agreement would establish a committee dedicated to safety, ensuring that the voices of correction officers are heard and their concerns are actively addressed.

Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Commissioner Daniel Martuscello emphasized the importance of the corrections officers and their role in public safety, stating, “They deserve it. We’ve heard them. We need them. They play an important role in public safety.” This acknowledgment reflects the administration’s recognition of the critical work performed by correction officers and its willingness to take steps to improve their working conditions.

The Terms of the New Proposal

The new deal offered by the state includes several provisions designed to incentivize the striking officers to return to work. Many of these terms were part of an earlier agreement that the union had initially accepted but later refused. Key elements of the proposal include:

1. A 90-day suspension of certain aspects of the HALT law.
2. 2.5 times overtime pay for 30 days after officers return to work.
3. Adjourning legal proceedings against participants in the illegal strike.
4. Reimplementation of health insurance for those who had been terminated.
5. No discipline for striking workers.

These terms are intended to address both the immediate concerns of the officers and the legal ramifications of their actions. By offering such incentives, the administration hopes to entice the officers back to work and restore stability to the prison system.

The Union’s Stance and the Growing Rift

Despite the state’s efforts, the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) has refused to sign the Memorandum of Understanding, calling the agreement insufficient for its members. A spokesperson for the union, James Miller, stated, “This agreement does not represent the best interests of our membership,” and added that the union would not sign the deal.

The disagreement has highlighted a growing rift between the union leadership and its members. Many correction officers have expressed a lack of trust in their bargaining unit, with some even going so far as to say they no longer believe the union represents their best interests. This internal conflict has been evident for weeks, with union leaders struggling to maintain unity among their ranks.

The Impact of the Strike on the Prison System

The ongoing strike has thrown the New York prison system into disarray, forcing the Hochul administration to rely on National Guard troops to manage the facilities. The situation has raised concerns about the safety and security of both inmates and staff, as well as the overall stability of the system. The deployment of thousands of National Guard troops underscores the severity of the crisis and the administration’s inability to resolve the issue through negotiation alone.

As the strike continues, the state faces mounting pressure to find a solution that addresses the officers’ concerns while maintaining order within the prisons. The administration’s decision to bypass the union and appeal directly to the officers reflects its growing frustration with the lack of progress in negotiations.

A Call to Trust and Return to Duty

Despite the lack of a legally binding agreement, Commissioner Martuscello has offered a verbal commitment to uphold the terms of the proposal for officers who return to work. “These terms outlined, that my employees asked for, will be upheld and we will follow this to the letter for those individuals that return to duty tomorrow,” he said. This commitment is intended to reassure the officers that their concerns are being taken seriously and that the administration is willing to work with them to resolve the issues.

However, the challenge remains whether this verbal commitment will be enough to convince the officers to return to work. With trust in the union leadership at an all-time low, many officers are likely to be skeptical of any deal that does not have the full backing of their representatives. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the administration’s efforts will be successful in ending the strike and restoring normal operations to the prisons.