Steuben County: Banning fired CO's from public sector work 'unjust'

BATH, N.Y. (WENY) -- The Steuben County Legislature penned a public letter Thursday expressing its opposition to New York Governor Kathy Hochul's recent Executive Order which barred Corrections Officers fired in the wake of the wildcat strike from seeking any public sector employment.

Specifically, the order bans New York State from hiring the fired CO's and makes recommendations that would prevent them from seeking county and local positions as well.

RELATED: Gov. Hochul Signs Executive Order Barring Corrections Officers From Working in State Service as Strike Comes to an End

In the letter, Steuben County says the order will exacerbate a staffing crisis that local governments have been dealing with for some time. Elected leaders also said the order undermines the public service system which needs experienced and dedicated professionals.

Steuben County officials are asking Gov. Hochul to reverse her decision and revoke the Executive Order.

The letter is cosigned by Kelly Fitzpatrick, the Chair of the Steuben County Legislature, and Sheriff James Allard from the Steuben County Sheriff's Office.

Other local elected leaders have previously voiced their frustrations with the Executive Order.

Schuyler County Sheriff Kevin Rumsey Wednesday said officers were not heard and they could have been valuable and much needed assets to other agencies, if not for the governor's order.

In a Facebook post Tuesday, Chemung County Executive Christopher Moss said the county is taking action to question the legality of the order.

Congressman Nick Langworthy previously called the order gutless and vindictive, and asked for a federal investigation into it.

New York State declared an end to the strike after 23 days of protests. DOCCS has begun the process of firing 2,000 corrections officers who did not return to work by their Monday deadline.

On Wednesday afternoon, former corrections officers were outside of the Elmira Correctional Facility cleaning up the spot on Davis Street that served as their rally point during the strike, marking an end to their protests.