The New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA)  released a post-strike report to its members and the public that provides critical context to the underlying issues that pushed members to the breaking point on February 17.  The non-sanctioned strike was a result of dismal working conditions that have been deteriorating for years.    

Included in the report (link to the 11-page report below) that the union identified as critical factors that led to February 17:  

Crushing mandatory overtime

Surging violence

Staffing crisis

State neglect

The information about the conditions identified in the report was a result of union leadership listening to thousands of overworked and underappreciated members over the course of several years as conditions in New York State prisons continued to decline and the safety of sworn and civilian staff became paramount. 

This report will shed light on the vital issues that led up to February 17 that the state failed to recognize or minimized in their strike report issued on May 9.  It is extremely important that the public have access to [information about] and understand the deplorable working conditions that have existed for our membership over the past several years—the same members that have been committed to keeping communities safe for the citizens across New York State.  It also identifies the intense effort of the union leadership to end the strike and negotiate a settlement with the state that addressed the working conditions for men and women who work in the prisons.  

As we continue to navigate our way through the post-strike era,  we are committed to working with DOCCS’s administration to address and identify effective policies that improve the safety in our prisons and ultimately provide reasonable working conditions for our members.” 

The response to the state’s strike report can be found at www.bit.ly/4fuDbzH.

Chris Summers
President, New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association
Albany, NY