A Desperate Plea to End the Strike: New York Officials Urge Prison Guards to Return to Work
New York corrections officials made a last-ditch effort on Thursday to persuade striking prison guards to return to work, offering a deal that includes no repercussions for their participation in the illegal strike. The offer, which came on the 18th day of the walkout, was announced by Daniel Martuscello, commissioner of the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. He emphasized that the deal would only apply to those who resume their duties on Friday. Martuscello explained that the terms of the agreement were crafted based on the concerns he heard directly from striking workers during recent visits to picket lines. The deal includes assurances that striking officers will not face discipline upon their return, the reinstatement of those who were fired for participating in the strike, and the immediate restoration of health insurance benefits. Additionally, it incorporates other concessions from a previous offer, such as a 90-day suspension of a state law limiting the use of solitary confinement—a policy that staff have argued makes prisons less safe.
Martuscello, speaking during a Zoom call to outline the proposal, acknowledged the concerns of the striking workers, stating, “I heard my workforce. This delivers the things they asked for.” The department also posted the details of the deal on its website, hoping to reach as many striking officers as possible.
A Stern Warning: Consequences for Those Who Refuse to Return
While the deal offers significant concessions, state officials made it clear that it is a one-time offer. Jackie Bray, commissioner of the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, warned that the deal would not be repeated and urged striking workers to return to their posts by Friday. She emphasized that those who refuse to comply will face severe consequences, including termination and legal action. Bray revealed that the state had already referred the names of approximately 1,000 striking workers to the office of Attorney General Letitia James for potential contempt charges. “We want you back. We need you back. You need to come back to work tomorrow,” Bray said, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
The state’s willingness to take legal action reflects the growing pressure to end the strike, which has disrupted operations at prisons across New York. With thousands of National Guard members deployed to fill the staffing gap, officials are eager to restore order and ensure the safety of both inmates and staff.
Union Resistance: A Stand Against the State’s Offer
Despite the state’s efforts to resolve the crisis, the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) has refused to endorse the deal. The union, which represents more than 13,000 prison staffers, issued a statement arguing that the agreement fails to address “substantial legal issues.” The union criticized the state for bypassing it in the negotiation process, asserting that any agreement must be reached through formal channels. “NYSCOPBA was not appropriately engaged in the development of the currently circulating agreement,” the union said. “This agreement was not negotiated with NYSCOPBA—the legally recognized entity through which all negotiations must be conducted.”
The union’s stance highlights the deep divisions between state officials and prison workers, who began their illegal strike on February 17 to protest unsafe working conditions and staffing shortages. The walkout, which violates state law prohibiting public employees from striking, has led to a tense standoff with Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration.
The State’s Response: Deploying the National Guard and Investigating Deaths
As the strike continues, the state has taken drastic measures to manage the crisis. Governor Hochul has deployed thousands of National Guard members to prisons statewide, a move intended to maintain order and ensure the safety of inmates and staff. The state has also initiated disciplinary actions against striking workers, including placing at least 15 staffers on leave following the death of a 22-year-old inmate, Messiah Nantwi, at the Mid-State Correctional Facility in Marcy. The circumstances surrounding Nantwi’s death are under investigation by state police.
This incident follows another troubling case in December, when six guards were charged with murder in connection with the death of Robert Brooks, an inmate at the Marcy Correctional Facility. These events have further strained relations between prison staff and state officials, with workers arguing that understaffing and unsafe conditions are exacerbating tensions within the corrections system.
The Path Forward: A growing impasse and the Need for Resolution
As the strike enters its third week, the situation remains unresolved, with both sides dug in and refusing to budge. The state’s offer to striking workers represents a olive branch, but the union’s rejection of the deal and the ongoing legal threats suggest that the conflict is far from over. With the National Guard filling in for absent staff and the state pursuing legal action against strikers, the stakes for prison workers—and the entire corrections system—continue to rise.
For now, the focus remains on finding a resolution that addresses the concerns of both prison workers and state officials. The outcome of this standoff will not only determine the fate of the striking officers but also shape the future of New York’s corrections system and the safety of those within it.
