New York Governor Kathy Hochul is punishing prison guards who took part in an illegal strike for three weeks. She has officially declared the strike over.
More than two thousand prison guards across the state who failed to report to work on Monday were fired. An angry Governor Hochul also signed an executive order banning them from working in other state positions ever again.
"It has been wildly expensive for taxpayers, approaching 100-million dollars. It created a very dangerous situation which I called out the second day. I said Individuals walked off the job and left the incarcerated population alone."
Hochul had to call in a large number of national guard troops during the strike. Prison guards complained of a shortage in staff and being forced to work long hours. The governor says she is working hard to address those issues but recruiting has been difficult.