CO union in mediation seeks end of HALT, elimination of triple shifts

Photo by Tom Rivers: Correction officers on strike have displayed these signs about the HALT Act on Route 31 near State School Road which leads to the Albion Correctional Facility.

The union representing corrections officers on strike met with state officials on Monday during the first day of mediation, attempting to resolve issues that led to a strike that is now in its ninth day.

Martin F. Scheinman is serving as mediator in talks between New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association (the union for corrections officers) and representatives from Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, including Daniel Martuscello, the DOCCS commissioner; and representatives from the state Office of Employee Relations. The mediation is scheduled for three days from Monday to Wednesday.

“Day 1 of mediation concluded late yesterday afternoon and there were extensive discussions with the State and DOCCS on the need for operational changes, including immediately suspending certain provisions of HALT during the staffing crisis, potential legislative changes to permanently change HALT, elimination of triple shifts, legal mail scanning, no departmental discipline for members considered AWOL, increased recruitment efforts and incentives to bolster staffing,” said James Miller, spokesman for NYSCOPBA.

The state wants corrections officers back on the job and has threatened to remove their health insurance and dock their pay.

Gov. Kathy Hochul also is seeking to close up to five prisons and give 90 days of notice, instead of the one year that is required. She is seeking a waiver from the one-year notice.