New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that 2,000 termination letters have been sent to state prison guards who did not report to work after a 22-day strike demanding better working conditions. More than 6,000 National Guard members, mobilized during the strike, remain deployed in prisons to maintain security alongside correctional staff.
After four failed attempts to reach an agreement that addressed concerns related to safety and compensation, a deal was finally reached on Saturday. Although 85% of employees were to return to work on Monday, that figure was not achieved. The governor assured that the state will comply with what is stipulated and that the priority is the safety and well-being of all New Yorkers.
During the strike at about thirty prisons, which was not called by the union representing the guards, the deaths of seven inmates were reported in various facilities. Governor Hochul signed an executive order prohibiting the hiring of prison officers who participated in the strike and recommending their removal from the Central Registry of Police and Peace Officers.
In her statements, Hochul said: "Today, we can finally say that this labor stoppage is over and we are moving forward to make our prisons safer for everyone, supporting our staff and recruiting the correctional officers of the future."
