Watkins Glen, NY
--The Schuyler County Legislature has tabled its resolution suing the state
over Governor Kathy Hochul's executive order that banned fired striking
Corrections Officers from seeking other public employment, after getting news
that the order will expire April 9.
According to
Schuyler County Attorney Steven Getman, on Monday (March 24) the legislature
adjourned the action to its April 14 meeting, after the county received word
from state officials that the relevant provisions of Hochul’s Executive Order
47.3 will expire and will not be renewed.
“After the
county’s proposed lawsuit was announced, the New York State Division of
Homeland Security issued a letter March 22 to all counties,” Getman said. “That letter states the governor’s order
prohibiting the hiring of correction officers whom she fired in connection with
the strike is temporary,” Getman said. “The
letter says these provisions of the order will expire on April 9 and the governor
does not intend to renew these provisions.”
“That means any
local government, including Schuyler County will be able to hire any terminated
correction officer any time on or after April 10.”
If the order
does expire, Getman explained, the county has received the bulk of the relief
it wanted in the lawsuit and the case would be moot.
Sheriff Kevin
Rumsey agreed with the decision to table, noting that if the order is extended,
the county legislature can authorize the lawsuit on April 14.
"If the
order is not rescinded, I will ask the legislature to move forward to protect
our ability to staff our jail with experienced personnel and to stand against
unconstitutional overreach," said Rumsey.
Rumsey also
expressed concerns with the governor’s plan to decertify the fired officers.
“If she decides
to push the issue of having them all decertified, counties will have to spend
the time and money to ‘re-train’ these DOCCS CO's, which many of them have some
considerable time on the job. It would be a cost benefit to have them
lateral rather than to have to send them through another academy.”
Rumsey, along
with County Legislature Chair Carl Blowers, blasted Hochul’s “no hire” order
affecting the corrections officers fired after a three-week strike, in a letter
sent to her March 18.
“We write to
express our strong opposition to your recent Executive Order, which unjustly
prohibits Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) employees
from being hired by other state, county, or local government workers…Leadership
means standing up for workers, not abandoning them to serve political
expediency.”
Blowers and
Rumsey noted that the county is experiencing staffing shortages and sees this
order as something that only worsens things for the county.
“It is
unthinkable and outrageous that, in the same breath that you push for second
chances through the Clean Slate Act, you are denying those who have devoted
their careers to public service the chance to continue their work and support
their families,” their letter states.
“We urge you to
reconsider this ill-conceived, arbitrary, and capricious order and immediately
reverse your decision.”
Schuyler County’s
April 14 meeting will be held at 6:30 pm at the Schuyler County Courthouse, 105
Ninth Street, Watkins Glen, New York.
The public is invited and encouraged to attend.
