The state corrections officers’ union has released a report on the Feb. 17 wildcat strike, calling it a result of Albany’s mismanagement.

“The non-sanctioned strike was a result of dismal working conditions that have been deteriorating for years,” the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association’s press release on the report bluntly stated.

The union’s report accuses New York State’s own report on the strike of failing to provide critical context for the event. “This context is necessary to understand that those who stood on the strike lines did so for a variety of reasons: crushing mandatory overtime with no end in sight, dramatic increases in violence, rampant drugs and contraband, a hopeless recruitment and retention situation, and not feeling like their voices were being heard.”

NYSCOPBA’s report accuses the state government of approving “ill-considered laws (that) weakened security, emboldened violence, and stripped correctional officers of the authority and tools needed to maintain control. As conditions deteriorated, these same officials ignored the data, refused to listen, and turned their backs on those who serve on the front lines.”

Unsurprisingly, the report goes on to attack the 2021 bail reform law, blaming it for an “explosion of violence” that saw attacks on corrections staff increase 47% between 2021 and 2024.

The situation caused a decrease in recruitment which led to further demands on existing staff. “As a result, the state’s entire correctional system found itself trapped in a cycle of staffing shortages, burnout, low morale and increasing violence, all leading to further erosion in staffing.”

The union’s report defends its actions in the wildcat strike, stating that it warned its members against it and tried to warn state officials it might be imminent.

NYSCOPBA goes on to add that since the strike ended, it has secured reinstatement of people terminated over the strike; new lump sum payments for college-educated and long-serving officers; a title upgrade and geographic pay differential which will add more than $95 million to annual salaries; and a recruit referral bonus program.

The 11-page report ends with a promise to keep fighting for state corrections employees. “They are worthy of the public’s respect and our elected officials’ support. NYSCOPBA will always have their backs. … Our members and their families are worth the fight.”