Gov. Kathy Hochul said that she is prepared to deploy the National Guard to secure state prisons if unsanctioned strikes by workers continue.  

The staff are protesting working conditions including mandatory shifts of 24 hours or more, recent exposures to drugs and assaults on staff.

Washington Correctional Facility are among the prisons in the Greater Capital Region participating. Workers at Coxsackie are taking part.

The strikes are not sanctioned by the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association.

The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision said Monday that a new labor agreement included pay raises, increases in location pay, paid parental leave and efforts to reduce contraband entering the prisons.

The agency on Tuesday sent another statement saying that illegal strikes are happening at 25 prisons.

“The illegal job actions involving correction officers is jeopardizing the safety and security of their co-workers,” the statement said.

The agency said that many of the demands the workers are making would require changing laws and violate their own collective bargaining agreement.

They are seeking the repeal of the HALT legislation, which put restrictions on the use of solitary confinement. That would require legislative action.

The workers are also want an end to 30% staffing reduction/reassignments. DOCCS said the problem is the vacancy rate among correction officers. They are seeking efficiencies to allow staff to have a work-life balance, while they step up efforts to recruit.

Other demands are improved pension benefits and implementing a secure vendor to reduce contraband getting into the facilities.

The union also wants a larger pay grade increase for security officers and sergeants. They are seeking a 20-year retirement option, incentive hiring bonus, 2 ½ pay for overtime on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and no mandatory overtime over 16 hours.

They also want mandatory body scans for visitors. Presently, there is an opt-out provision and that would require legislation change.

NewsChannel 13’s Dan Levy spoke with lawmakers to get their reaction to the illegal strikes. Find out what they had to stay by watching the video.