State Senator Tom O’Mara and his Republican colleagues are calling on Governor Kathy Hochul to revoke Executive Order No. 47.3, which prohibits the rehiring of over 2,000 correctional officers terminated for participating in a recent illegal strike.
In a letter dated March 17, 2025, addressed to Governor Hochul, the senators criticized the executive order as “punitive” and warned of its broader implications. They expressed concern that the order not only affects the dismissed correctional officers but also places additional burdens on National Guard members currently staffing state prisons.
The letter highlighted reports of substandard working conditions faced by National Guard members deployed to correctional facilities, including inadequate training, poor living conditions, and lack of comprehensive healthcare coverage. The senators argued that rescinding the executive order would alleviate these issues and allow experienced correctional officers to return to work, thereby enhancing safety and operational efficiency within the prison system.
Governor Hochul issued Executive Order No. 47.3 following a 22-day strike by correctional officers that began on February 17, 2025. The strike, deemed illegal under New York’s Taylor Law, led to significant staffing shortages in state prisons, prompting the deployment of National Guard members to maintain order.
The executive order mandates that all state agencies refrain from hiring individuals who were terminated due to their participation in the strike. It also requires the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to report these separations as removals for cause, effectively barring the individuals from future employment in state or local government positions.
The New York State Sheriffs’ Association has also opposed the executive order, arguing that it hinders local governments from addressing staffing shortages in county jails by preventing the hiring of experienced correctional officers. They assert that the order oversteps state authority and undermines local hiring autonomy.
Additionally, Chemung County has filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the executive order, claiming it creates an unlawful employment blacklist and infringes upon local governance.
Governor Hochul has defended the executive order, stating that participation in the illegal strike constitutes a violation of public trust and justifies the employment ban. Her administration maintains that the measure is necessary to uphold the rule of law and ensure the integrity of public services.
As the debate continues, the affected correctional officers face uncertain employment prospects, and state prisons remain reliant on National Guard personnel to fill staffing gaps. The situation underscores ongoing tensions between state authorities and public employee unions over labor rights and public safety.AP News
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