CSEA members employed at state Department of Correctional Services and Community Supervision (DOCCS) facilities have faced a challenging last few weeks as some correction officers have engaged in a wildcat strike at multiple correctional facilities.
Due to worker unrest over issues including safety concerns and understaffing, correction officers began on February 17 an unauthorized strike at two facilities. The state’s Taylor Law strictly prohibits public employee strikes and violations can result in serious penalties, including loss of pay, disciplinary action or termination.
As strikes at correctional facilities grew, CSEA leaders stayed in direct contact with members employed at DOCCS. While CSEA members were urged to report to work as scheduled to avoid any penalties associated with the wildcat strike, safety is our union’s top priority. CSEA DOCCS local officers and union staff encouraged members to immediately alert our union if they were directed to perform unsafe or out-of-title tasks. CSEA has continued to work with the state to address safety concerns during this fluid situation.
CSEA negotiated with Gov. Kathy Hochul an emergency overtime rate increase of 2.5 times pay for all DOCCS members. This Executive Order applies to all overtime—scheduled or not—retroactively from 7 a.m. on Feb. 17, 2025, and will remain in effect until the governor deems a return to normal rates appropriate.
Our union had also reached with the state a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to protect civilian staff while maintaining prison operations during the strike. Key provisions include:
- No Security Duties for Civilian Staff
- Personal Safety Measures
- Fair Scheduling
- Limited Civilian Tasks in Restricted Areas
- Programming Suspension
- Expedited Assignment Dispute Process-If an employee believes an assignment is hazardous or violates the MOA, they can dispute it. Employees will have access to a CSEA representative and can refuse hazardous work under PESH. An expedited arbitration process will resolve disputes. The arbitrator will issue immediate verbal rulings, followed by written decisions and good faith efforts will be made to resolve disputes informally before arbitration.
On Feb. 27, the state announced an agreement with NYSCOBA to end the strike after several days of mediation. CSEA will keep members updated on the situation as details unfold.
