New York state is expected to have a formal offer to the demands of those corrections officers who have refused to work during the labor strike sometime Thursday, a spokesman for the New York State Corrections Officers & Police Benevolent Association reported.

In a statement on Thursday, James Miller, public relations specialist at NYSCOPBA, said a third day of mediation ended Wednesday before midnight. NYSCOPBA leadership was meeting again with the state late Thursday morning, he said, noting he had no other information on the talks.

Later in the day, state Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, issued a formal letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul demanding an immediate halt to the reckless deployment of 6,500 National Guard members in New York’s prisons and calling on Hochul to negotiate in good faith with striking correction officers.

“This crisis demands real leadership, not reckless political stunts that put lives and safety at risk,” said Borrello. “Deploying the National Guard — composed of service members untrained in corrections–to replace striking officers is not only irresponsible but also dangerous. These men and women are being thrown into volatile environments without proper training, equipment, or support, putting everyone’s safety in jeopardy.”

Strikes are continuing at both locations in Collins and Brocton.