Gov. Kathy Hochul's administration has bypassed the Corrections Officer Union and provides illegally impressive security guards in different deals at more than 30 New York prisons if they return to work Friday.
The state proposed a new contract on February 17th without union sign-off – without union sign-off, in an attempt to fully staff the prison for unsafe working conditions.
The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Chairman Daniel Martasquero told reporters Thursday New Terminology It will establish a “safety-focused” committee that addresses concerns about the suspension laws that govern solitary confinement in prisons. Corrections officers argued that the law would limit the ability to control unruly prisoners and work safely.
Potential agreements include many of the same provisions included in the initial transaction provided by the state, including last week:
- 90-day suspension of some aspects of the solitary confinement law
- 2.5 overtime payments 30 days after the officer returns to work
- Defer legal proceedings for participants in illegal strikes
- Re-implementing health insurance for fired people
- There is no discipline for strike workers
“They deserve it. They've heard it. They need them. They play an important role in public safety,” Martusquero said of the revised workers.
The proposal is being provided to security guards without the support of Correctional Coalition leaders, New York State Correctional Officers, Police Charity Association or Niscobba leaders.
Martuscello said that union head Chris Summers gave him a linguistic agreement to sign the deal, but that never happened.
“Unfortunately, tonight, President Summers and his executive committee refused to sign a memorandum of understanding with its members again,” he said.
The union fought back that the deal was not the same for this member.
“This agreement does not represent the greatest benefit of our membership,” Nyscopba spokesman James Miller wrote a statement to reporters later Thursday.
“Nyscopba will not sign this agreement at this time,” added Miller.
The rift between union leaders and their members has been on display for a few weeks, saying several officers don't trust them to represent them in the post.
Matt Kewe, the union's executive vice president, said Wednesday as well. Reported by Spectrum News.
“Our union members don't trust us right now,” Keefe said.
Despite the lack of legally binding agreement, Martuscello offers his own oral commitment.
“I outline these terms and conditions that my employees are looking for and follow this in a letter from a personal who is back on duty tomorrow,” he said.
Now on the 18th day, the Wildcat Strike has plunged the state's prison system into chaos, calling thousands of National Guards to Hochul managers and calling on people to detention facilities.
