Mediator seeks to ‘quickly and equitably resolve the strike’ at NY prisons

Photo by Tom Rivers: A sign partially buried in the snow along Route 31 declares “On Strike.” The Albion Correctional Facility is in the background on State School Road. The National Guard arrived today to help with staffing at the prison as a strike among corrections officers moved into its third day at both Albion and Orleans correctional facilities.

A mediator hired by Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office and a union representing state corrections officers will work with both sides “to quickly and equitably resolve the strike” at numerous prions in the state, said the mediator, Martin F. Scheinman, Esq.

A statement from Scheinman was released to the media by New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association, the union for corrections officers.

Scheinman met by Zoom videoconferencing with both sides on Wednesday. He said he and his team will set “an aggressive mediation schedule to discuss numerous outstanding issues fueling the strike.”

Both parties will meet to present an overview of initial positions and issues. Three days of mediation shall be conducted from Feb. 25-27, with additional days scheduled if needed.

The following mediation teams will attend: NYSCOPBA – President Chris Summers, Executive Vice President Matt Keough, and attorneys William P. Golderman, Gregory T. Myers  and Keith R. Jacques. The State of New York – Office of Employee Relations Director Michael Volforte and DOCCS Commissioner Daniel Martuscello.

“I am confident this mediation process can help the parties open a constructive dialogue to move towards resolution of their differences,” Scheinman said. “I look forward to working with both teams to ensure a fair and thoughtful discussion of their concerns takes place.”

Martuscello, the DOCCS commissioner, has urged the corrections officers on strike to return to work by 11:59 p.m. today and they won’t be penalized for being on strike. Those returning to work will be eligible for overtime at a 2.5 times rate during the current emergency due to the strike.

The commissioner also said part of the HALT Act would be suspended during the emergency.

Corrections officers have made rescinding the HALT Act a focus of the strike. That law went into effect in 2022 and limits the use of segregated confinement as well as prohibits that kind of confinement for anyone who is pregnant, living with a disability, or is either over the age of 55 or under 21.

Officers say it has resulted in more violence in the prison from incarcerated people towards staff and other inmates because there is less concern about punishment.

Corrections officers also there is too much mandatory overtime keeping officers away from their families. Many of the COs said they are working 80 hours a week. They want more COs to be hired.