Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday signed an executive order activating more than 3,500 New York Army National Guard members to provide security at dozens of state prisons where correction guards are striking for safer working conditions. Also on Wednesday, a state judge granted a temporary restraining order under the Taylor Law prohibiting correction officers from striking or engaging in other concerted work stoppages or slowdowns, according to a court filing in Erie County.

The governor’s order also provides for additional overtime for COs and other staff who are working, said Hochul, who also directed state agencies to retain independent mediator Martin Scheinman to negotiate an end to what she again called “an illegal work stoppage.”

As correction officer strikes and protests continued at prisons across upstate New York, the National Guard arrived at Attica Correctional Facility.

Prison guards have called for a repeal of the HALT Act, more staffing and changes to mandated overtime. However, Hochul released a video statement on Wednesday condemning the demonstrations. She says the illegally striking workers are jeopardizing the safety of their colleagues and the prisoners, as well as creating an issue for the residents in the communities surrounding the prisons.

All of this is happening as negotiations have begun. A letter was sent Tuesday night to members of the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, stating that the executive board met with Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Commissioner Daniel Martuscello, members of his executive team and members of Gov. Kathy Hochul's staff on Tuesday.

The letter says in part:

"We discussed at length the issues we have raised for years that have fallen on deaf ears and that have ultimately contributed to the memberships' walking off the job. We also argued for several of the demands that have been drafted by the membership after walking off the job. DOCCS, in turn, proposed certain monetary incentives to potentially entice the membership to return to work. At this point, the Executive Board communicated its belief that the membership needs to see several drastic improvements to working conditions before they would even consider returning to work. The membership is completely burnt out and past their limit.

"At the end of the meeting, the parties agreed that the Executive Board would submit its top priority demands to be addressed immediately by Governor Hochul. The demand was submitted shortly thereafter. Those demands include: (1) no penalties for members who have walked off the job; (2) suspension of HALT or persistent holiday schedule to ease the burden on staff; (3) two-pay-grade increase for all COs and Sergeants to help with recruitment and retention; and (4) to discuss all outstanding financial, staffing, and working condition issues before an independent mediator to begin immediately. We have begun to contact independent mediators with both state and federal experience in order to assist us moving forward and to begin further negotiations as soon as possible. We await the response from the Governor's office.

"We are also closely monitoring Governor Hochul's recent announcement that she is activating the National Guard. This will inevitably impact job duties within the facility and NYSCOPBA will work to ensure that members' swaps, bids, leave, and other rights are preserved for those who are still working in our jails."

Protests formed at facilities from the Hudson Valley to Western New York, where the actions started Monday with three unsanctioned strikes at Collins Correctional in Erie County, Elmira Correctional in Chemung County and Groveland Correctional Facility in Livingston County, according to NYSCOPBA. By Tuesday, protests had grown to all seven of the state correctional facilities in Western New York and several more across upstate.

State Police were assisting DOCCS by providing outer perimeter security at several correctional facilities experiencing job action strikes or increased staff absences, troopers said.