Chaos as guards WALK OUT of prisons leaving navy to swoop in on Black Hawks
National Guard members descended upon New York State correctional facilities in Black Hawks as prison guards went on the fourth day of strikes.
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order on Wednesday declaring a statewide disaster emergency and activating the New York National Guard to keep order while workers strike outside, according to WHAM.
Guards at all but two of New York’s 42 prisons appeared to be on strike, reported The Free Lance.
Union officials have said that corrections officers are protesting for better pay, heightened searches of prison visitors, and a reversal of recent prison reforms that limit solitary confinement.
State prison guards union leaders have previously conceded that the strike is illegal and say they did not authorize it.
Video captured by NBC 5 showed that the State Police arrived at Bare Hill Correctional Facility early Thursday, and members of the New York National Guard arrived via helicopter in the afternoon.
Officials said some prison staff have been working several days straight amid the ongoing strike.
Hochul says National Guard troops are being deployed Wednesday, but she did not immediately specify where.
National Guard members descended upon New York State correctional facilities in Black Hawks as prison guards went on strike for the fourth day
Video captured by NBC 5 showed State Police arrived at Bare Hill Correctional Facility early Thursday, with members of the New York National Guard arriving via helicopter
‘They’ve already been deployed and are ready to stabilize the situation,’ Hochul said of the National Guard soldiers in a video address released Wednesday.
‘I am directing everyone involved in these unlawful strikes to stop these actions immediately. Legal action has already commenced to ensure compliance.’
National Guard soldiers in Humvees entered the grounds of Attica Correctional Facility, Spectrum News reported.
Later in the day, Hochul’s office said in a statement that 3,500 members of the New York National Guard started reporting for duty and will support corrections workers at prisons ‘with tasks including distributing meals and medication to incarcerated individuals and help maintain general order and wellness in the facilities.’
The New York State Department of Corrections issued a memorandum at the demonstrations on Thursday afternoon calling for a ‘path to restoring the workforce.’
The document detailed suspending unspecified elements of the HALT Act where ‘circumstances create a significant and unreasonable risk to the safety and security of those in the facilities.’
The memorandum also announced the suspension of a controversial ’70/30′ memorandum issued on February 10 regarding staffing reductions.
It also stated that no disciplinary action will be taken against employees who immediately report to work on Thursday before midnight, even for those participating in the unsanctioned job actions.
Corrections officers are protesting for better pay, heightened searches of prison visitors, and a reversal of recent prison reforms that limit solitary confinement
The New York State Department of Corrections issued a memorandum at the demonstrations on Thursday afternoon calling for a ‘path to restoring the workforce’
New York State filed an injunction under the Taylor Law, and a judge granted a temporary restraining order mandating striking correction officers to cease the illegal activity, according to the governor’s Wednesday statement.
Striking guards could be fined or face other sanctions under that law.
State prison guards union leaders have previously conceded that the strike is illegal and say they did not authorize it. Union representatives met with the governor’s team for the second straight day.
‘Negotiations with the State have continued throughout today between NYSCOPBA and the Governor´s Office towards a resolution,’ New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association spokesperson James Miller said Wednesday in a statement.
