Despite the March 1st deadline to return to work, Correctional Officers outside of the Attica Correctional Facility remained on the picket line vowing to not go anywhere.
The Wildcat Strike at prisons across NYS began February 17th.
In the Village of Attica on Saturday, a group of about 100 vehicles gathered at Attica Veteran’s Memorial Park and held a vehicle parade that traveled past the picket line on Saturday afternoon to show support for the Correctional Officers.
“We’re just here to let people in Attica show their support,” says Cyndie Wellman, Village of Attica resident.
“A lot of people have been donating food and firewood and other goods, some people can’t do that, so this a chance for them to come out and show we’re standing behind them for the duration of this.”
Gary Quinn from Alexander joined in on Saturday, picketing across from the Attica Correctional Facility. He says common sense is what is needed to move forward.
“I know its common sense that they are asking for, it’s not that hard. When common sense is on the table, it should be agreeable by both sides. But there’s no common sense on the table for the guards. They want them to work mandatory 24, 48, 60 hours. One guy went home with an 80 hour shift last week; it’s just common sense. Thats what’s so frustrating, these guys don’t need to be out here anymore than I do, but I’m out here to support them,” says Quinn.
Two sisters whose dad is a guard say the strike is not about money, it’s about safety and better working conditions. They say until those things are addressed the strike will most likely continue.
“Nope, they are not leaving, that’s for sure,” says Preslee. “They won’t leave until something is changed,” says Macey.
