Hochul readying National Guard as New York state corrections officers strike
Groveland, N.Y. (WHAM) — The National Guard is now on standby amid a tense workers' strike at New York state prisons.
Gov. Kathy Hochul ordered the New York National Guard to respond Wednesday if the strikes don't end.
As of Tuesday, the strikes had expanded to 25 prisons across the state, and the ripple effects were being felt beyond the prison walls.
BACKGROUND: Correctional workers picket across New York state
Families outside Groveland Correctional Facility said working conditions in state prisons have declined even more so since the pandemic.
Trina and her three children were just a few of the many family members protesting, while her husband, Alex, was working inside.
"He works so many long hours," she said. "He's never home."
Trina said this is the second day people have gathered around the fire, just across the street from the prison, to show support for their loved ones.
"He has been working 60 to 90 hours every single week, 24-hour shifts regularly," Trina said. "I've really been a single mom this whole time, and it's really hard to be a single mom. That's not what I signed up for. I have three little kids."
Similar protests began Monday at the Elmira and Collins correctional facilities.
The Department of Corrections issued a statement Tuesday morning.
The illegal job actions involving correction officers is jeopardizing the safety and security of their co-workers. The number of illegal job actions impacting DOCCS correctional facilities has expanded to 25. Visitation has been cancelled in a number of facilities and the Department is updating the list on its social media pages. The striking correction officers have made demands that would require changing laws and violating their own collective bargaining agreement.
"Inside the facilities are dangerous," said David Washburn, who retired from Groveland in June. "They aren’t safe. Right now, there is minimal staffing. It's not safe for anyone, officers. That’s one of the reasons we left. It's not safe for anybody anymore.”
He said it's not just correctional officers working long hours. His wife is a civilian worker at Groveland who is also working extra.
"They mandated civilians here at Groveland, not sure if it's statewide, for 12-hour shifts," Washburn said. "I have been on the phone with several wives who are concerned about getting medications in and a change of uniform for the employees that are still inside."
“We are looking for safety," Washburn continued. "We are looking for better conditions. We are looking to spend more time with our families.”
Clara Incinna was another supporter outside demanding change for officers, like her husband.
"I think he's working 16 to 24 hours," Incinna said. "I'm eight months pregnant. I haven't seen him in a month."
"I don't know when he's going to come home, if I'm going to get a phone call that he's in the emergency room, not in the emergency room," Incinna continued. "You just don't know what's going on on the inside, and they're not filling us in on anything, and they're not supporting anybody. It's terrible."
DOCCS provided a list of demands from the striking officers, as well as the department's responses.
Reversal of HALT Bill
This is not something that the Governor nor the agency can do unilaterally, it is a law and would require legislation
No 30% staffing reduction/reassignments
The Commissioner issued a memorandum acknowledging the current vacancy rate among the Correction Officer title, which is a national issue in Corrections. His direction was for Superintendents and unions to work collaboratively at each prison to identify efficiencies in order to provide relief to the hard working men and women who are Correction Officers within the facilities. It is NOT a staffing cut, but a way to ensure staff have a work life balance while we continue to pursue a variety of recruitment initiatives, such as the regional recruitment and the currently proposed legislation to allow the Department to hire out-of-state residence.
Grandfather of Tier 5 &6 to Tier 3
This is not something that the Governor nor the agency can do unilaterally, it is a law and would require legislation.
True secure vendor program – no further use of third-party vendors
DOCCS implemented the vendor package program upon recommendation of the Prison Violence Task Force, which members of NYSCOPBA sit on, that sought to improve facility security for staff and incarcerated individuals by addressing the significant increase in the number of packages found to contain contraband drugs and weapons. The program has been very successful in reducing the amount of contraband found in incoming packages from 920 package room recoveries in 2020 to 34 recoveries in 2024, a 96 percent reduction. The DOCCS Office of Special Investigations (OSI) K9 unit has also been expanded and is used successfully to prevent contraband entering the state’s prisons.
Incoming Mail to be photocopied or scanned to incarcerated individuals through JPay email.
DOCCS staff have been photocopying incoming mail for incarcerated individuals in all facilities except for the Edgecombe Residential Transitional Facility in an effort to stem the flow of contraband into our correctional facilities. DOCCS continues to explore a variety of options to address incoming legal mail. Last week, in response to recent incidents, the Department implemented a program whereby staff contact the law office for each piece of legal mail to verify it is from the law office prior to opening and delivery to the incarcerated individual.
Mandates body-scans for visitors
The Governor advanced article VII language to allow for the Department to use Body Scanners. The final version allows for the scanners to be used on Visitors, Incarcerated and Staff, with all having the option to decline. The Department has deployed 88 Body Scanners that are being used on visitors and the incarcerated, with the majority of staff opting out of being scanned. Any changes to the opt out provisions would require legislation.
Fulfilment of previously promised Geography pay
The Department continues to look at a variety of options in order to increase recruitment and retainment of staff, including various scenarios pertaining to a salary enhancement or referral incentive. We have raised the starting salary for Correction Officers by $6,500, launched a regional recruitment campaign, and recently entered into a new collective bargaining agreement that includes yearly salary increases, increases in location pay, and paid parental leave
Timeliness of Staff disciplinary actions
This violates the collective bargaining agreement that was recently ratified by the membership which outlines the timeline for discipline to occur.
Pat grade increase to 17 for security and 20 for Sergeants
The Commissioner has indicated to Civil Service that he supports a one grade increase, but not more than a two grade increase, for Correction Officer and Correction Sergeant.
Facility Superintendents have the power to lockdown their facility and program closures based on immediate necessity of their given facility, without repercussions.
Facility Superintendents have been authorized to close programs and notifying central office by the submission of an unusual incident. Full facility lockdowns require the Commissioners approval.
Representation of security staff separate from the Collective Bargaining Unit
NYSCOPBA is the recognized bargaining agency for Correction Officers and Sergeants. The request as written is not clear.
Recruiting suggestions
- 20 year retirement
- Incentive Hiring Bonus
- 2.5 times pay for all OT on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
- 2 times pay for all OT on Monday through Thursday
- No OT mandates over 16 hours
- Step Raises adjusted to top rate at 15 years
- Retention benefit of 25 year retirement lock, guaranteeing security families to receive full retirement after 25 years
A number of the items listed above would require some form of legislation in order to affect.
