NY prison guards face arrest amid strike over safety concerns
Kathy Hochul, the governor of New York, warns prison guards about potential arrests for participating in strikes, which are prohibited for public sector employees.
The governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, has expressed her dissatisfaction with the strikes by prison officers throughout the state. According to the Polish Press Agency, she warned on Wednesday that participants in the protests could face arrest because the law prohibits public sector employees from striking.
As reported by CBS News, the strike at the Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining has been ongoing for over a week. Protesters, fearing legal consequences, are covering their faces.
According to Israel Sanchez, the spokesperson for the strikers, the governor has warned of potential arrests based on the Taylor Law. Some individuals have already received notices at their residences, while those present prefer to remain anonymous.
Safety concerns
About 15,000 prison guards across the state are participating in strikes and protests. Their main argument is safety concerns, which they claim have been ignored for a long time. The guards point to Democrat-supported legislation and the closure of many prisons, which they believe create a dangerous working environment.
Governor Hochul confirmed that legal action has been taken to arrest the striking officers. "The proceedings have started. I think we have 380 people on the first list through the attorney general’s office and they’re being served by state police as we speak. This is in violation of law," emphasized Hochul, as quoted by the Daily Wire portal.
In response to the situation, Hochul deployed 6,500 National Guard troops to manage the prisons in emergency mode. The deputy state secretary for public safety, Marcos Gonzalez, suggested that all strikers could be subject to criminal proceedings if necessary.
