COXSACKIE, NY (WTEN) — An end may be in sight for the prison strike taking place across New York State. After four days of negotiations between a representative for the striking correction officers and officials from the Hochul administration, it appears a tentative deal has been reached. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Thursday night that a consent award was reached to end the work stoppage. The striking correction officers have been calling for safer working conditions and for the HALT Act, which restricts use of solitary confinement.
Many striking COs outside of the Coxsackie correctional facility, however, pushed back. On Friday, they hoisted a makeshift wood sign with painted writing reading:
“The consent award does not address our safety concerns at all. They still want us to make their failed HALT programs. No protections for us. We will now be required to volunteer and still no end to 24 hour shifts. They are still looking to cut jobs putting security at risk. Policymakers need to work, frontline line workers (NOT NYSCOPBA) need to work on realistic changes that would benefit all parties.”
Active duty correction officers would not speak to the media for fear of retaliation, so retired COs like Rudy Pavlin have been the media point persons.
“None of the core issues… were addressed… meaning safety security of officers civilians and inmates inside of those walls” said Pavlin.
Attorney Jared Cook of the Tully Rinckey law firm explained what the legally binding agreement is. “A consent award is more of a we’ve all come together we’ve all hash it out” Cook explained. “An arbitration award is essentially arbitrator just deciding the dispute” Cook added in contrast.
The corrections officer union, NYSCOPBA, negotiated with the state through an independent mediation firm for the suspension of certain provisions of the HALT act would remain in place for 90 days, after which the DOCCS Commissioner would evaluate its impact on safety. Overtime would also be amended, with no required 24 hour shifts, if officers work four overtime shifts in a two week pay period. Facilities that violate this rule would face the $750 fine paid to the employee, any reason for 24 hour overtime would be subject to review.
“Do you all have your own people who are negotiating for you, or is NYSCOPBA trying to negotiate for you, or are both things happening simultaneously?” NEWS10’s Zion Decoteau asked Pavlin.
“Honestly Zion, we have no idea. The men and women out here or around the state, on the line, have no part in negotiation” Pavlin replied.
Since the illegal work stoppage is not a union action, each individual striker has to vote whether or not to accept the deal. Pavlin says there’s some semblance of organization between the statewide striking camps. As to whether they will accept the agreement?
