A prison strike roiling New York's prisons since Feb. 17 came to a head on Friday, March 7, 2025, with workers offered a deal and ordered to return or else be fired.

The wildcat strike continues at 32 correctional facilities statewide, despite a tentative deal. Staffing at Elmira, Attica, and Wende in Western New York is thought to be among the most affected, state and union officials said.

The state and the guards union struck a deal to end the strike, but it was contingent on at least 85% of staff returning to work.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has barred prison guards who were fired for illegally walking off the job from being hired for other state jobs.

While nearly 60% of corrections officers remain on strike, hundreds of them gathered at the state Capitol on Tuesday. The rally served as a poignant message to Gov. Kathy Hochul that the deal and termination proceedings against striking individuals have not convinced staff to return to their posts.

More than 2,000 New York prison guards who were fired for participating in an illegal wildcat strike won't be able to get another job with the state, Gov. Kathy Hochul said.

More than 2,000 NY correction officers who are being terminated after striking are being prohibited from working for a state agency in the future.