Tentative agreement doesn't end corrections issues
ALBANY, N.Y. (WTEN) — A major development occurred this week in the strike between correction workers and the state. A consent award was agreed to after four days of meetings between the union representing the workers and the state.
This week on Empire State Weekly, Sumeet Sharma, the Director of Policy and Communication for the Correctional Association of New York, spoke about the struggles correction workers and incarcerated people face. He also explained why his organization was surprised the strike happened.
"We were surprised to see the strike, as there was a collective bargaining that the state reached with NYSCOPBA in recent years that carried them out to the current time period. But that being said, there were a lot of issues and things that need to be addressed," said Sharma.
Also this week on ESW, Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced $400 million in funding to revitalize parts of the State Capitol and downtown Albany. Jeanette Moy, the Commissioner for the State Office of General Services, explained how recent increases in New York's tech industry highlighted the need for investment in the state's capital.
"In a few years, three out of every four semiconductor chips will be built right here within 350 miles of the region, so these are great high-tech jobs for our families, for our children, for our communities," Moy said. "And we want to keep people that are coming to the Albany region. We want families to grow, we want people to have a great experience. So this investment is one we know is going to help Albany further its great trajectory."
To see these interviews and more, here is a list of how you can watch Empire State Weekly in your area of New York: