Albany, New York -- After nearly two weeks of protests by corrections officers, a tentative agreement has been reached to address their concerns, Governor Kathy Hochul’s office confirmed Thursday night.
Corrections officers at 36 facilities across New York began walking off the job 11 days ago, citing unbearable working conditions. Despite not having the authority to strike, officers took action, forcing state officials to intervene.
To resolve the crisis, a special independent mediator was brought in on Monday to negotiate an agreement between the state and corrections officers. Following the negotiations, a consent award was reached, requiring all officers to return to work by March 1.
Governor Hochul acknowledged the difficulties faced by both staff and incarcerated individuals during the protests. “My top priority is the safety of all New Yorkers, and for the past 11 days, I have deployed every possible State resource to protect the well-being of correction officers, the incarcerated population, and local communities across New York,” she said in a statement.

The governor also expressed her appreciation for those who worked to maintain order during the unrest. “I have the utmost respect and gratitude for the correction officers, civilian DOCCS employees, National Guard personnel, and other staff who have done their absolute best to maintain order in our correctional facilities during this challenging period.”
The agreement aims to address many of the concerns raised by corrections officers while ensuring the continued safe operation of the state’s correctional facilities. Officials hope it will also help prevent similar work stoppages in the future.
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