Corrections officers stand near the Lakeview Shock Facility near Brocton.

Corrections officers who have been on strike this week at nearly 30 state-run prisons will go to mediation to resolve their differences with the state.

State Supreme Court Justice Dennis Ward signed an injunction Wednesday ordering striking corrections officers to end their strike “or other concerted stoppage of work or slowdown, including engaging in, causing, instigating, encouraging, condoning or in any way aiding or abetting a strike or other concerted stoppage of work or slowdown by any public employee or employees of DOCCS, or picketing, congregating or walking back and forth within 100 feet of any DOCCS correctional facilities.”

The decision is part of a Taylor Act case filed by state Attorney General Letitia James on behalf of the state. Ward also ordered the NYSCOPBA to distribute the order to all of its members and instruct corrections officers not to engage in any acts prohibited by the state’s Taylor Law, including striking.

At the same time, mediator Martin Scheinman has been appointed to attempt to bring the sides together. One of Scheinman’s first acts was to try to get the corrections officers back to work because disregarding the court’s order to end the strikes could harm the mediation process. Mediation will take place Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

“I am confident this mediation process can help the parties open a constructive dialogue to move towards resolution of their differences,” Scheinman said. “I look forward to working with both teams to ensure a fair and thoughtful discussion of their concerns takes place.”

According to the Albany Times Union, the union is asking there to be no penalties for officers who walked off the job this week, suspension of the HALT act, which places restrictions on the use of long-term solitary confinement of inmates, a two-pay-grade increase for correction officers and sergeants and the appointment of a mediator. Meanwhile, according to the Buffalo News, Daniel Martuscello, commissioner of the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, said the state would allow some provisions to the HALT Act to be suspended under exceptional circumstances, agreed to rescind a prior order for a 30% staff cut for corrections officers, an increased overtime rate for officers who work throughout the strike and to not pursue discipline against officers who reported to work by midnight on Feb. 21.

The strikes are in response to recent events across the state regarding unsafe conditions for corrections officers. The latest incident took place last week in Collins, when a lockdown was initiated following a use of force to recover cell phones in the possession of an incarcerated individual. Lockdown protocols were initiated on Wednesday and continued until Saturday. Following a frisk and search of inmates and cells, 23 weapons were recovered.

Lakeview Shock was directly impacted by the cuts and mandates last month, as four officers were injured and exposed to an unknown substance on Jan. 23 after a combative inmate attacked them as they entered his cell when he covered the cell door window and refused to respond to orders. The officers were injured when they opened his cell door, and he charged at them.

Along with the injuries the four officers sustained in the attack, they also developed shortness of breath, tightness in their chests, elevated blood pressure and fatigue. They were transported to Westfield Hospital and treated and released and did not return to duty.

Gov. Kathy Hochul responded Wednesday morning calling for an end to the work stoppages that she called “disruptive and unsanctioned” while jeopardizing the safety of their colleagues, the prison population while “causing undue fear for the residents in surrounding communities.” The National Guard has been ordered to help secure the facilities where strikes are taking place.