Wildcat Strike at 25 State Prisons Leads Hochul to Prepare National Guard Deployment
Hundreds of state correction officers at more than two dozen upstate prisons went on a wildcat strike on Tuesday, forcing Governor Kathy Hochul to prepare to deploy members of the New York National Guard to replace them if the walkout extends into Wednesday.
Background to the Strike
The walkout comes as multiple state correction officers are expected to be criminally charged for their roles in the fatal beating of a handcuffed detainee on December 10, according to the Albany Times Union. The incident was caught on body cameras, showing officers kicking and punching Robert Brooks, 43, who was held down on a medical bed at the Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County.
Union Not Involved
The New York State Correction Officers Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) has not formally endorsed the strike, which is a "wildcat" strike, meaning it is not supported by a union.
Governor’s Response
Governor Kathy Hochul demanded that the officers immediately end the walkout, stating, "We will not allow these individuals to jeopardize the safety of their colleagues, incarcerated people and the residents of communities surrounding our correctional facilities." The state "will begin to take appropriate disciplinary action as necessary" if the strike doesn’t stop.
Staff Shortages and Union’s Concerns
The labor dispute comes as the head of the prison system, Daniel Martuscello III, earlier this month asked his top deputies to come up with a broad plan to deal with ongoing staff shortages. In a February 10 memo, he ordered superintendents to "redefine" how they operate with fewer officers, noting that "70% of our original staffing model is the new 100%." Days later, the union issued a vote of no-confidence against Martuscello.
Prison System Reform
The NYSCOPBA claims that its ranks are down about 2,000 officers from 2023, with a current total of 13,229 correction officers. Citing the Brooks death, criminal-justice reformers and some state lawmakers have called for a total overhaul of the long-maligned state prison system. In her latest proposed budget, Hochul has earmarked $400 million to install security cameras in all prisons.
Conclusion
The wildcat strike by hundreds of state correction officers at 25 upstate prisons has led Governor Kathy Hochul to prepare to deploy members of the New York National Guard to replace them if the walkout extends into Wednesday. The strike is a result of ongoing staff shortages and concerns over the treatment of detainees in New York’s prison system.
FAQs
- What is a wildcat strike?
A wildcat strike is a worker action not supported by a union. - Why is the NYSCOPBA not involved in the strike?
The NYSCOPBA has not formally endorsed the strike. - What is the Governor’s response to the strike?
Governor Kathy Hochul has demanded that the officers immediately end the walkout and has threatened disciplinary action if it doesn’t stop. - What is the current state of the prison system?
The prison system is facing ongoing staff shortages and concerns over the treatment of detainees.
