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A memo obtained by Ë®¹ûÅÉAV details how the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association will protect its members. Among the actions is a lawsuit that aims to prevent the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision from canceling health insurance for striking officers.Ìý

NYSCOPBA is also planning "a package of lawsuits, contract grievances and agency complaints" to assist members who are on pre-approved leave but were ordered to return to work during the strike.Ìý

The union is also preparing grievances for members to appeal their terminations for participating in the walkout.Ìý

In the memo, NYSCOPBA accuses DOCCS of union interference. The union states the department canceled a union leave agreement and forced Kenny Gold, the organization's western region vice president, to return to his facility. The union also alleges that the department has denied leave requests that would allow Gold to participate in union meetings.Ìý

"We believe this is domination and interference with NYSCOPBA's administration and operation," the union said, adding that it will be seeking an injunction to enable Gold to rejoin the executive board.Ìý

NYSCOPBA also alleges that DOCCS "had little intention" of honoring an agreement that followed four days of mediation shortly after the strike began on Feb. 17. Striking officers largely rejected that agreement and continued their protest.Ìý

The union believes DOCCS Commissioner Daniel Martuscello was "attempting to directly negotiate with members in order to pit members against themselves and against the union" with a new deal that was announced Thursday.Ìý

Martuscello revealed that he engaged in discussions with striking officers, which led to an agreement that would've ended the strike if the officers returned to work Friday. NYSCOPBA leaders verbally agreed to the deal, according to Martuscello, but reversed their stance and refused to sign a memorandum of understanding.Ìý

"We rejected his ultimatum last night," NYSCOPBA said. "We will be filing an improper practice charge and seeking an injunction to prevent him from doing this again." 

NYSCOPBA has criticized the involvement of "outside influences" who negotiated with Martuscello and said the agreement "does not represent the best interests of our membership." The union committed to working with DOCCS to reopen the mediation process, which they said would result in a legally binding consent award.

Meanwhile, the strike continues.Ìý

Some correction officers have returned to duty or resigned. Others are still on the picket line. In Auburn, officers planned to accept the agreement with Martuscello and return to work on Friday. But when the deal fell apart, several officers rejoined the protest across the street from the prison.Ìý