New York deploys National Guard to state prisons amid labor strike

NEW YORK — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has deployed Nationwide Guard troops to safe state-run prisons amid a wildcat strike by corrections staff.

Picketing and putting by corrections officers passed off at round 30 state prisons as of Wednesday morning, union officers mentioned.

Hochul says Nationwide Guard troops are being deployed Wednesday, however she didn’t instantly specify the place.

“They’ve already been deployed and are able to stabilize the state of affairs,” Hochul mentioned of the Nationwide Guard troopers, in a video deal with launched Wednesday. “I’m directing everybody concerned in these illegal strikes to cease these actions instantly. Authorized motion has already commenced to make sure compliance.”

Nationwide Guard troopers in Humvees entered the grounds of Attica Correctional Facility, Spectrum Information reported.

The extent of the governor’s authorized motion wasn’t specified, however Hochul on Tuesday cited a state regulation that may result in fines and different punishments for state staff who strike illegally.

A spokesperson for Hochul didn’t instantly reply to a request for touch upon the deployments, the roles the troopers would carry out or the extent of the strikes.

The state jail guards union has conceded that the strike is unlawful and says they didn’t authorize it. Union representatives met with the governor’s group for the second straight day.

“Negotiations with the State have continued all through as we speak between NYSCOPBA and the Governor’s Workplace in direction of a decision,” New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Affiliation spokesperson James Miller mentioned Wednesday in a press release.

Union officers have mentioned that corrections officers are protesting for higher pay, heightened searches of jail guests and a reversal of current jail reforms that restrict solitary confinement.

The strike additionally follows the killing of inmate David Brooks. Video exhibits him being overwhelmed by corrections officers whereas he was handcuffed on the Marcy Correctional Facility. The governor ultimately ordered the firing of jail staffers concerned within the loss of life, which was dominated a murder in early February.

A particular prosecutor is anticipated to announce an replace within the prison case in Brooks’ loss of life Thursday.