ALBANY, NY (WENY) -- The New York State Department of Corrections announced late Thursday evening that an agreement to end the 11 day strike of corrections officers at state prison facilities has been reached.

The announcement comes following three days of mediation between the NYSCOPBA, the corrections officers union, and the state and Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS). According to the mediator with Scheinman Arbitration and Mediation Services, they have suggested that the agreements between both sides be set forth in a consent award, confirmed by the court. Failure to comply could result in sanctions. 

According to the consent award posted on the DOCCS website, several terms have been agreed to by both sides, including the following:

  • - Elements of the HALT Act will continue to be temporarily suspended for 90 days. DOCCS will begin to evaluate the operations, safety and security of staffing levels, and determine if re-instating elements of the HALT Act would create an unreasonable risk to the safety of both prison staff and incarcerated individuals.
  • - DOCCS will apply a "circuit breaker" staffing metric on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays upon the conclusion of the HALT Act suspension. Staffing levels will be assessed, and steps will be taken to avoid mandatory 24-hour overtime.
  • - Changes will be made to overtime, with the goal of eliminating mandatory 24-hour overtime. Among the provisions, this will include a weekend shift differential, and immediate overtime review if a corrections officer or sergeant is required to work a 24-hour overtime shift. 
  • - Both sides will create a committee to analyze staffing at each facility and operational efficiencies, with a goal of providing more relief to existing staff.
  • - DOCCS will pursue a contract with a vendor for equipment and screening of all legal mail to incarcerated prisoners, in an effort to reduce the amount of drugs coming into correctional facilities.
  • - No disciplinary action for striking union corrections officers who return to work by the deadline established in the agreement, for their scheduled tours beginning March 1. This does not include any Taylor Law fines that may be incurred.
  • - The New York National Guard will remain in facilities, but draw down as staff return to work.
  • - The overtime rate of 2.5 times regular pay will continue for the next 30 days.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued a statement in response to the agreement, saying:

“My top priority is the safety of all New Yorkers, and for the past 11 days, I have deployed every possible State resource to protect the well-being of correction officers, the incarcerated population and local communities across New York. Working with a mediator, we have reached a consent award to address many of the concerns raised by correction officers, put DOCCS back on the path to safe operations, respect the rights of incarcerated individuals and prevent future unsanctioned work stoppages. I have the utmost respect and gratitude for the correction officers, civilian DOCCS employees, National Guard personnel and other staff who have done their absolute best to maintain order in our correctional facilities during this challenging period.”

The wildcat strike began on February 17, beginning at Collins and Elmira Correctional Facilities before expanding to 40 others across New York. Thursday marked the strike's 11th day. The state National Guard was brought in to assist with running the facilities during the strike. 

Will the striking officers will accept the terms of the agreement and return to work remains unknown. Many officers have called for complete repeal of the HALT Act, saying the law creates dangerous conditions inside prison facilities for both corrections staff and other incarcerated people. Additionally, mandatory 24-hour overtime shifts have resulted in officer fatigue, and time away from their families. As outlined in the agreement, staff who do not comply with the agreement would be subject to sanctions, which were not specified. 

This is a developing story; WENY News will have continuing coverage throughout the day on Friday. 

The entirety of the agreement can be found here.