Public Employees Federation president: ‘I understand why’ prison workers are striking
President Spence was a guest on Spectrum News’ Capital Tonight with Susan Arbetter on Feb. 25 to talk about the prison strikes across the state and how the union is working hard to protect the health and safety of members. He also spoke about how threats of legal action helped convince the state to rescind an order mandating parole officers perform security-related tasks usually done by corrections officers.
“Everybody’s concerned with their safety”
PEF Parole Officer Gina Lopez spoke to Spectrum News in Rochester on Feb. 27 about her experience working four 16-hour shifts inside Attica Correctional Facility to fill the gap when corrections officers walked off the job. She also spoke about the importance of recognizing the unintended consequences of things like the HALT Act, which was meant to provide humane alternatives to solitary confinement for incarcerated individuals, but has made it difficult to control the prison population.
‘It’s work that is dangerous’: Deal reached to protect prison staff during corrections officer strike
ABC affiliate WKBW in Buffalo interviewed President Spence on Feb. 25 about the agreements the union negotiated with the state to protect the health and safety of members inside and outside correctional facilities during strikes across New York.
Deal protects civilian staff, parole officers during correction officers’ strike
In their Feb. 24 newscast, ABC affiliate WTEN in Albany spotlighted the PEF-negotiated deal with the state to protect the health and safety of members working at DOCCS facilities. President Spence spoke on the measures the union has taken.
Conditions inside New York correctional facilities
On Feb. 28, North Country Public Radio talked to PEF President Wayne Spence about what members told the union about the conditions they were and are working under during the strike.