NY Fires 2,000 Prison Guards After Strike Over Solitary Confinement
New York’s correctional system ended a 22-day wildcat strike after reaching a deal with the guards’ union contingent on 85% staff returning to work; however, over 2,000 officers were terminated for failing to comply with the deadline. The agreement includes a 90-day suspension of the HALT Act and adjustments to overtime pay, although the Legal Aid Society raised concerns about the deal’s implications for incarcerated individuals and the lack of a plan to restore services. Despite falling short of the 85% goal, the state honored the deal’s provisions, and the National Guard will continue providing support while recruitment efforts intensify.
John Q. Hosedrinker