Mass Termination Follows Unresolved New York Prison Guard Strike

New York has terminated over 2,000 prison guards after a wildcat strike disrupted state correctional facilities. Although a deal was reached, insufficient staff returned to work. The National Guard continues to support prisons, while efforts are underway to recruit new personnel amid ongoing investigations into recent inmate deaths.

In a dramatic move, New York authorities terminated over 2,000 prison guards for failing to return to work after a lengthy wildcat strike. This disruption had significantly impacted the state's correctional facilities, prompting the Governor to consider the illegal strike ended as some staff resumed duties.

Despite a tentative agreement with the guards' union contingent on a minimum of 85% staff returning, the actual number fell short. Commissioner Daniel Martuscello stated that the state would still honor parts of the agreement, including overtime benefits, as the National Guard maintains support roles in prisons.

Meanwhile, an aggressive recruitment campaign is on the cards to bridge staffing gaps. This comes amidst troubling conditions reported by inmates and ongoing investigations into inmate deaths, raising concerns about the impact of the strike on prison safety.

(With inputs from agencies.)