The third day of mediations between New York and the union that represents the state’s corrections officers is set to begin Wednesday afternoon, as walkouts, protests and some strikes continue for a 10th day.The New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association, or NYSCOPBA, provided NBC5 with updates on the ongoing mediation efforts after Tuesday’s talks wrapped up.According to NYSCOPBA, Day 2 of mediation lasted until 9 p.m. on Tuesday as discussions continued with the state and the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) regarding the main concerns in the labor dispute.An NYSCOPBA representative said there was progress made “on several issues,” but there have been so significant updates to report at this time.NBC5 is continuing to follow both the mediation process and the ongoing protests in the North Country, including outside Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora and at facilities in Malone as both former and current corrections officers continue to speak out against what they said are restrictive laws and unfair working conditions.New York Gov. Kathy Hochul addressed the ongoing situation on Tuesday, saying she has long stood with corrections officers, but that walking out on the job is “illegal” and puts the entire state at risk.Meanwhile, NBC5 spoke with one retired corrections officer in Dannemora who told us the prisons are already unsafe.”Officers want to be safe, and inmates want to be safe. Not just officers. Everybody needs to be safe in a facility. Husbands, wives, daughters, the whole nine yards,” Kenny Varin, a retired CO, said.NYSCOPBA said it has asked the state to reconsider disciplinary actions, like docking pay and canceling health insurance for the workers on strike.We’re also learning that New York State Troopers have started serving judicial orders to striking workers. Sister-newspaper The Albany Times Union said those workers could be arrested if they don’t return to work after a court order was issued last week in Erie County.NYSP has also been assisting with perimeter security at some prisons where protestors are gathered, including Bare Hill Correctional Facility in Malone.Hochul thanked the COs who continue to show up to work during the protests.North Country Sen. Dan Stec called Hochul’s response “a failure of leadership.” His office released a statement on Tuesday night that read in part:”Her disregard for officer safety over the past few years has led to the conditions that caused this current crisis at our correctional facilities.”Stec is calling on Hochul to repeal the HALT Act. He said he personally delivered legislation on the matter to her office.NBC5 has a crew in Dannemora and will have the latest updates beginning this afternoon online and on television.
The third day of mediations between New York and the union that represents the state’s corrections officers is set to begin Wednesday afternoon, as walkouts, protests and some strikes continue for a 10th day.
The New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association, or NYSCOPBA, provided NBC5 with updates on the ongoing mediation efforts after Tuesday’s talks wrapped up.
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According to NYSCOPBA, Day 2 of mediation lasted until 9 p.m. on Tuesday as discussions continued with the state and the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) regarding the main concerns in the labor dispute.
An NYSCOPBA representative said there was progress made “on several issues,” but there have been so significant updates to report at this time.
NBC5 is continuing to follow both the mediation process and the ongoing protests in the North Country, including outside Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora and at facilities in Malone as both former and current corrections officers continue to speak out against what they said are restrictive laws and unfair working conditions.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul addressed the ongoing situation on Tuesday, saying she has long stood with corrections officers, but that walking out on the job is “illegal” and puts the entire state at risk.
Meanwhile, NBC5 spoke with one retired corrections officer in Dannemora who told us the prisons are already unsafe.
“Officers want to be safe, and inmates want to be safe. Not just officers. Everybody needs to be safe in a facility. Husbands, wives, daughters, the whole nine yards,” Kenny Varin, a retired CO, said.
NYSCOPBA said it has asked the state to reconsider disciplinary actions, like docking pay and canceling health insurance for the workers on strike.
We’re also learning that New York State Troopers have started serving judicial orders to striking workers. Sister-newspaper The Albany Times Union said those workers could be arrested if they don’t return to work after a court order was issued last week in Erie County.
NYSP has also been assisting with perimeter security at some prisons where protestors are gathered, including Bare Hill Correctional Facility in Malone.
Hochul thanked the COs who continue to show up to work during the protests.
North Country Sen. Dan Stec called Hochul’s response “a failure of leadership.” His office released a statement on Tuesday night that read in part:
“Her disregard for officer safety over the past few years has led to the conditions that caused this current crisis at our correctional facilities.”
Stec is calling on Hochul to repeal the HALT Act. He said he personally delivered legislation on the matter to her office.
NBC5 has a crew in Dannemora and will have the latest updates beginning this afternoon online and on television.
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