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Legislator Mark Strong, R-Moravia, revealed the number during a discussion about the proposed vehicle use tax at the Cayuga County Legislature's Government Operations Committee meeting. He was among the critics of the tax and mentioned the potential impact on families affected by the recent firings or resignations.

Strong, whose district includes Cayuga Correctional Facility in Moravia, is a retired correction officer.Ìý

The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision confirmed approximately 2,000 correction officers and sergeants were fired for participating in a three-week strike that ended March 10. They were terminated after failing to report for duty by the state-imposed deadline.Ìý

Citing "security reasons," DOCCS would not disclose how many officers were fired at each facility.

The strike began Feb. 17 to protest unsafe working conditions in state prisons. During the work stoppage, DOCCS reported that about 90% of its 13,500 correction officers and sergeants joined the walkout.

DOCCS entered mediation with the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, the union representing correction officers and sergeants. A deal was reached to end the illegal strike, which was not sanctioned by the union. But rank-and-file officers rejected that agreement.Ìý

A separate agreement was reached between DOCCS Commissioner Daniel Martuscello and correction officers on the picket line, but NYSCOPBA objected because it wasn't involved in the talks.Ìý

DOCCS and NYSCOPBA negotiated another deal to end the strike. One of the terms was 85% of striking officers had to return to work by 6:45 a.m. March 10.

Although that threshold wasn't met, the state honored the agreement for the officers who returned to duty. But the officers who failed to meet the deadline were fired.Ìý

Gov. Kathy Hochul issued an executive order that prevents state and local agencies from hiring the fired correction officers.

The loss of 200 correction officers could be a blow to Cayuga County's economy. Auburn and Cayuga correctional facilities are among the largest employers in the county.Ìý

The Correctional Association of New York, an independent prison watchdog, reported in January that Auburn and Cayuga correctional facilities had 729 correction officers. The number does not include vacant positions.