GOWANDA — The seasons are changing, but that doesn’t mean the issues occurring at the Gowanda and Collins Correctional Facilities are.

Just six months ago, the OBSERVER reported on picketers lined up on Route 62 in Collins for the same issue. But it wasn’t planned to be a bi-annual event. “Things are just not getting better, they’re getting worse,” said Al Mothershed, Western Region Business Agent for NYSCOPBA, who also was picketing. “So we are back at it again trying to get the word out that we need help. We need help from the legislators. We need somebody to intervene. The facilities are just running amuck.”

The signs and posters that were hoisted by picketers roadside stress the issue. “Management does not have our back” and “Poor staffing places our lives in jeopardy!”

But the shirts they wore in unity stated “fighting for our lives,” a simple message that most don’t have to say at their workplace.

The picket took place today from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. and again from 2:30 till 4:30 p.m. outside the correctional facility on Route 62. See more in Thursday’s OBSERVER.