03-03-2025
Elmira correction officers remain on strike day after termination message
ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) — Striking correction officers were still across from the Elmira Correctional Facility on Sunday despite being told the night before that those who didn't return to work that day would be fired.
Nearly 250 officers and supporters stood on Davis Street on the morning of March 2, and around 100 were still there that evening. Strikers are calling for safer conditions and for the state to repeal the HALT Act.
The New York State Office of Employee Relations sent a message to strikers stating that those who didn't return to work on March 1, the day mandated by the consent award, would be fired on March 2.
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The striking correction officers and sergeants were also told that they would lose their health insurance on Monday, March 3, two weeks after the strike began on Feb. 17. The health insurance termination will be backdated to when each officer went on strike.
Chemung County Executive Chris Moss, who joined the strike last week, told 18 News that he was very disappointed in New York Governor Kathy Hochul's actions and how the state is placing correction officers in a dangerous position following the implementation of the HALT Act. Moss added that Governor Hochul can do a better job of meeting the correction officers halfway.
Chemung County Legislator Rodney Strange posted a message of support on Facebook on Sunday morning that told COs not to give up and not to return until the HALT Act is repealed. Strange joined the strike on multiple occassions and has posted numerous messages of support.
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