BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

OGDENSBURG — NYSCOPBA executive board members representing striking COs say they have rejected an offer that was negotiated without their consent, despite claims by state officials and  DOCCS leadership they would honor the deal. 

The move to reject the alleged agreement shows a divide in thinking between striking officers and union leaders who say they are working to secure a new deal through an additional round of negotiations with the governor’s office and DOCCS. 

In a letter disseminated to officers, NYSCOPBA leaders have struck a decidedly different tone when compared to previous communications. 

“Do not mistake our intentions or motivation, we want to reach an agreement that gets our members back to work as soon as possible, but we cannot allow our desire for a quick result to jeopardize our ability to obtain a fair agreement that adequately safeguards our members’ health and physical well-being and ensures their ability to reclaim a work-life balance in the immediate future,” they wrote. 

NYSCOPBA officials said DOCCS officials recently approached them with a brand-new agreement “that was not negotiated with the union and would require us to rescind the legally enforceable Consent Award that we spend countless hours and days securing on your behalf.” 

“While this new agreement, which was not negotiated with the union, contains many of the key elements of the Consent Award, it was unceremoniously stripped of any assurances that it will be legally binding in the future,” NYSCOPBA officials wrote. 

NYSCOPBA officials said DOCCS and the governor’s office “tried to bully us into signing this agreement by threatening to pin the agreement’s downfall on the union.” 

“We will not stand for this misinformation. To be clear, we asked for a reasonable amount of time to review and digest the agreement. We wanted the opportunity to meet with DOCCS and the Governor’s office to discuss their changes to the agreement, to ensure it still meets the standard that you expect of us, and to make sure it is as legally enforceable as possible,” NYSCOPA officials wrote. 

They said DOCCS officials and the governor’s office “refused and gave us an ultimatum, which is why we had no choice but to decline to sign the agreement in its current form.” 

NYSOPBA officials said they remain committed to meeting with DOCCS and the governor’s office, noting they are seeking to negotiate further as soon as possible. 

“Our only goal is to protect you, the members. We will not give up until that task, no matter how difficult, is achieved and we will not stand by as DOCCS and the Governor’s office try to take away our seat at the table and remove our voices from this discussion,” NYSCOPA officials wrote. 

“We will not be intimidated. We will not back down. Our commitment remains unwavering in delivering safety back to our facilities and bringing quality of life back to our membership,” they concluded. 

That runs contrary to a voicemail sent to NCTW, in which Michael Kelly from Upstate Correctional Facility told officers the new deal would be honored by DOCCS and the state if officers returned to work today, March 7. 

“We’re making calls to people who have been out to let you know  that the MOA that was drawn up today, the one that Chris Summers, the president of NYSCOPBA wouldn’t sign, we want to let the membership know that Mr. Martuscello, the commissioner, and the director of office of employee relations will honor this agreement for those who wish to return to work tomorrow morning,” Kelly said. 

He said a Youtube video on the DOCCS website details the agreement, which can be found here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW5K8wL7g2I&list=RDNScW5K8wL7g2I&start_radio=1

“I know it’s tough times to trust but look at that video,” Kelly said. 

He requested the officer call in if they have any questions or decide to return to work. 

The strike has now entered day 19, with less than half of all officers having returned to work, according to state officials. 

Help St. Lawrence County Stay Connected!

We’re glad you read this article reported by the staff of NorthCountryNow.com.

If you haven’t done so already, please consider subscribing to ensure you have full access to all the news and info about St. Lawrence County.

Your subscriptions make it possible for us to provide trustworthy local news, promote our many community events, and encourage community dialogue.

Please click here to subscribe today!