水果派AV

Workers at Collins, Elmira and Groveland correctional facilities launched the strikes on Monday. So far, similar actions have not been reported at Auburn and Cayuga correctional facilities in Cayuga County.听

The New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, the union representing state correction officers, said it is aware of the protests but did not sanction the strikes.听

"At both facilities, staff chose to not enter for their work shifts as a result of their discontentment with current working conditions," NYSCOPBA said.听

Thomas Mailey, a spokesperson for the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, told 水果派AV the strikes were "initiated by some rogue NYSCOPBA members" and are "illegal and unlawful."聽

State law prohibits public employee strikes. Federal courts have ruled that wildcat strikes, which are labor actions without the union leadership's backing, are illegal.听

"We are committed to engaging the union in order to return staff to work and resume normal operations at the two facilities," Mailey said.听

Visitation at Collins, Elmira and Groveland correctional facilities has been canceled due to the strikes.听聽

NYSCOPBA members ratified a three-year contract in 2024 that included annual salary increases and up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave. But the issues being raised by correction officers don't appear to be related to the contract.听

For years, NYSCOPBA has criticized what the union views as the state's failure to respond to increasing violence in state prisons. DOCCS reported a record 1,760 assaults on staff last year, up from 1,671 in 2023.听

NYSCOPBA regularly issues press releases about violent incidents in prisons. Attacks have been reported at numerous prisons, including Auburn.听

Staffing levels are also a concern. With system-wide shortages, correction officers have been forced to work overtime. DOCCS Commissioner Daniel Martuscello III told legislators last year that proposed prison closures were in response to the agency's staffing crisis.听

"We value our employees and are dedicated to continuing the recruiting efforts to increase security staffing in all DOCCS correctional facilities to restore the important work-life balance for all," Mailey said.听