On March 1, 2025, corrections officers at Cape Vincent Correctional Facility in New York are continuing to strike amid a state ultimatum aimed at ending illegal work stoppages. This follows nearly two weeks of strikes across several facilities and four days of mediation between the state and the workers’ union.
- Cape Vincent Correctional Facility facing work stoppages
- Proposal includes overtime pay and HALT suspension
- Staff claim safety concerns, not financial issues
- Strike continues, but workers fear retaliation
- Community supports striking corrections officers
The ongoing strike by corrections officers (COs) highlights significant concerns regarding safety within New York’s correctional facilities. The proposed agreement includes a temporary increase in overtime pay and a 90-day suspension of the HALT Act, which limits solitary confinement. Many COs argue that since the HALT Act was implemented in 2022, assaults on staff have increased, contributing to an unsafe working environment.
Key details of the proposal include:
- A temporary bump in overtime pay for corrections officers.
- A moratorium on HALT reforms for 90 days.
- A deadline of March 1st for COs to return to duty without facing most disciplinary actions.
The strike is reportedly not primarily about financial compensation but rather about enhancing safety measures within prisons. Many COs believe that better staffing levels and complete repeal of the HALT Act are necessary changes. However, there appears to be little legislative support for such measures in Albany.
As the deadline looms, some reports indicate that COs are reluctantly returning to their posts while others remain steadfast in their strike efforts. Community members and retired corrections officers continue to show solidarity with those on strike despite fears of retaliation against active participants.
The situation at Cape Vincent Correctional Facility remains tense as corrections officers weigh their options amidst state pressure. With community support evident and critical discussions ongoing, the future of this labor dispute will likely shape conditions within New York’s correctional system moving forward.
