Governor Kathy Hochul finally managed to drag herself to the negotiating table after nearly three weeks of chaos, but not before making sure she inflicted as much pain as possible on New York’s correctional officers and their families. It wasn’t enough for her to ignore the glaring safety concerns that sparked the strike in the first place—no, she had to go full scorched-earth, cutting off health insurance for thousands of officers and their dependents, including at least one woman battling terminal cancer. Because, apparently, that’s what “leadership” looks like in Democrat-run New York.
The strike, which lasted 20 days, wasn’t about money. It wasn’t about greed. It was about survival. Officers were demanding relief from the Democrat-backed HALT Act, a disastrous soft-on-crime policy that has turned prisons into lawless free-for-alls. They were also protesting the grueling, mandatory 72-hour shifts that put both officers and inmates at risk. But instead of addressing those concerns like a responsible leader, Hochul went on a vendetta, firing officers, threatening them with arrest, and cutting off their healthcare as punishment for daring to push back against her agenda.
One officer, out on family and medical leave while caring for his wife as she underwent chemotherapy, found out the hard way just how ruthless this administration could be. His wife, Rachel, who depends on IV infusions, daily medications, and regular chemo treatments, suddenly had no health coverage—because Hochul decided to play hardball. She wasn’t alone. Officers on pre-approved leave also saw their insurance terminated, and others—many of whom had pregnant spouses—were left scrambling to figure out how they’d afford basic medical care.
Hochul, of course, didn’t care. She had her talking points locked and loaded, blaming officers for creating “unsafe circumstances” while conveniently ignoring the fact that her own HALT Act is what made New York’s prisons unmanageable in the first place. Under this administration, officers can barely discipline violent inmates without being accused of cruelty. It’s no surprise that prison conditions have spiraled, with at least seven inmate deaths reported since the strike began. But sure, let’s blame the officers.
Kathy Hochul’s turned New York into a circus where cop-haters and thugs call the shots, leaving our correctional officers twisting in the wind. #RepealHALT @ChrisTague102 is out there like a bulldog, tearing into her nonsense. He’s got this killer video that barely got any… pic.twitter.com/WTZjQZy5Lk
— The Blue Line Voice (@Blazebrain1021) March 1, 2025
In her desperation to crush the strike, Hochul called in 7,000 National Guard troops, stuffing them into overcrowded, unsanitary quarters that quickly became public knowledge thanks to leaked photos. Because nothing screams “competent governance” like forcing military personnel to sleep on top of each other while dealing with violent inmates they weren’t trained to handle. The governor’s message was clear: she would rather break the prison system completely than admit that correctional officers had legitimate concerns.
Two National Guard vehicles arrive at Attica Correctional Facility. This comes after Governor Kathy Hochul deployed the guard to staff several NYS prisons while correctional officers are on a wildcat strike. @SPECNews1ROC pic.twitter.com/8l9On8LUGa
— Rich Healey (@r_heals13) February 19, 2025
And then, finally, after weeks of stonewalling, Hochul and the state came to an agreement. The HALT Act will be suspended for 90 days while a committee determines whether it needs revisions (spoiler: it does). The state will also attempt to minimize the brutal 24-hour mandatory overtime shifts that were pushing officers to the brink. Another committee will supposedly analyze staffing and operational inefficiencies, and there are plans to find a vendor to screen inmate mail for drugs.
But here’s the kicker—none of the penalties for striking have been waived. Hochul still wants these officers to suffer. The fines, the terminations, the insurance cancellations? They’re all still on the table. Because in her mind, this wasn’t about resolving a crisis—it was about making sure no public employee ever dares to challenge her authority again.
Kathy Hochul is pitiful.
She cancelled health insurance for over 10,000 Correction Officers, docked pay, & started firing them for protesting unsafe working conditions.
Her HALT Act and other pro-criminal laws are destroying NY.
Watch what CO’s deal with daily (volume up) 👇 https://t.co/LGfKeMeAkr
— Attorney Bobbie Anne Cox (@Attorney_Cox) March 7, 2025
So, after 20 days, the illegal strike is winding down, but the fight isn’t over. The fact that officers had to go to such lengths just to get basic safety measures addressed should be a wake-up call for every taxpayer in New York. This is what happens when you put far-left ideologues in charge of law enforcement policy. This is what happens when you prioritize criminals over the people keeping them in check. And this is what happens when Democrats like Kathy Hochul decide they’d rather rule with an iron fist than admit they were wrong.
The officers may be going back to work, but the damage is done. Hochul showed exactly who she is. Now, the question is—will New Yorkers remember?
