As Auburn correction officers continue their strike, two state legislators are supporting their cause by providing portable toilets.Â
Assemblymen Jeff Gallahan and John Lemondes, both of whom represent portions of Cayuga County, sponsored the portable toilets for the striking officers. The officers have been demonstrating across from Auburn Correctional Facility since Tuesday.Â
Gallahan, R-Manchester, is a former journeyman machinist who participated in strikes during his career. He said in a statement that it's important workers have the necessities to remain on the picket line.Â
"I'm proud to stand in solidarity with our striking correctional officers across our state prison system," Gallahan continued. "These officers have been raising the red flag to the governor for years regarding the problems they are facing in our state prisons, and they have been ignored by this administration. This strike has shown that the governor can no longer ignore our correctional officers."Â
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Gallahan's district includes Cayuga Correctional Facility in Moravia. Cayuga correction officers are also participating in the statewide strike.Â
Auburn Correctional Facility officers strike in front of the prison Tuesday as part of a statewide effort.
Lemondes, a LaFayette Republican who represents the city of Auburn, has been a critic of criminal justice reform laws, including the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement Act. The law, known as HALT, limits the use of solitary confinement in jails and prisons.Â
One of the demands issued by the striking correction officers is for the state to repeal HALT. The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision has suspended parts of the law during a state of emergency declared by Gov. Kathy Hochul.Â
"The failure of Governor Hochul's misguided policies is now obvious," Lemondes said. "Our correctional officers are finally taking a stand against them, and I am 100% with our guards."Â
Hochul, who signed an executive order Wednesday, has activated more than 3,500 National Guard members to provide security at affected prisons. The National Guard began arriving at Auburn Correctional Facility °Â±ð»å²Ô±ð²õ»å²¹²â.Ìý
Other lawmakers are supporting the correction officer strike. Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, whose district includes the Cayuga County towns of Ira, Sterling and Victory, visited the Auburn strike on Thursday.Â
Gallery: Striking correction officers continue to hold the line in Auburn
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Correction officers at Auburn Correctional Facility hold the line on the third day of their strike to protest unsafe working conditions.
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Correction officers at Auburn Correctional Facility hold the line on the third day of their strike to protest unsafe working conditions.
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Correction officers at Auburn Correctional Facility hold the line on the third day of their strike to protest unsafe working conditions.
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Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, R-Pulaski, visits striking correction officers at Auburn Correctional Facility on Thursday.
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Correction officers at Auburn Correctional Facility pose for a group photo on the third day of their strike to protest unsafe working conditions.
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Correction officers at Auburn Correctional Facility hold the line on the third day of their strike to protest unsafe working conditions.
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Correction officers at Auburn Correctional Facility hold the line on the third day of their strike to protest unsafe working conditions.
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Correction officer Dennis Rossbach, right, stands with a fellow CO at Auburn Correctional Facility on Thursday, the third day of a strike to protest unsafe working conditions there.
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A home has a message for Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday, the third day of a strike at Auburn Correctional Facility protesting unsafe working conditions.
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A small group of correction officers stays on the picket line into the evening Thursday, the third day of the strike at Auburn Correctional Facility protesting unsafe working conditions.
Government reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 664-4631 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on X @RobertHarding.