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Gov. Kathy Hochul wants correction officers to get back to work and end their "unlawful strikes" that began Monday and continued Wednesday. 

In a video message, Hochul addressed New Yorkers and criticized the work stoppages. She said the correction officer strike is "jeopardizing the safety of their colleagues, the prison population and causing undue fear for the residents in the surrounding communities." 

Correction officers went on strike at three correctional facilities Monday. The strike expanded to more prisons, including Auburn and Cayuga correctional facilities, on Tuesday. The statewide protest includes workers from at least 25 prisons. 

The New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, the union representing most of the state's correction officers, did not sanction the strike and urged its members to return to work. But rank-and-file officers are protesting their unsafe working conditions and various state policies, including mandated overtime and a solitary confinement reform law. 

"I will not allow this chaos to continue," Hochul said. "My administration and I have been and will continue meeting with union leadership to resolve this situation immediately. But if it is not resolved, I will send in the National Guard to secure the facilities in question. They've already been deployed and are ready to stabilize the situation." 

Hochul previously announced she would send the National Guard to state prisons if the strike did not end by Wednesday. As of Wednesday morning, correction officers continue to strike. Several officers gathered outside Auburn Correctional Facility to continue their work stoppage. 

According to the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the striking correction officers have several demands. They want the state to repeal the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement Act, a law NYSCOPBA has blamed for the spike in prison violence. They also offered several recruitment suggestions to address the staffing shortage and requested other changes to DOCCS policies. 

DOCCS noted in its responses that many of the demands would require legislative action or violate the contract ratified by NYSCOPBA members in 2024. 

While Hochul panned the strike, she acknowledged that correction officers have "incredibly difficult" jobs. She fought alongside NYSCOPBA to improve salaries, benefits and working conditions, she said, and a "fair contract" was agreed to last year. 

"I'll always advocate for the vitally important work they do," Hochul continued. "But as governor, my number one job is to protect the people of this state — and that includes maintaining order in our state prisons. Therefore, I am directing everyone involved in these unlawful strikes to stop these actions immediately. Legal action has already commenced to ensure compliance.

"Do what's right. Do your jobs."