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Oneida County, New York, has been granted a temporary restraining order allowing it to hire corrections officers who were terminated following a recent strike. The ruling, issued by State Supreme Court Justice Christina Ryba on Tuesday (April 1), challenges Governor Kathy Hochul's executive order that banned local agencies from hiring these officers.
Governor Hochul's order, effective March 10, prevented approximately 2,000 corrections officers who did not return to work after a three-week strike from seeking employment in New York State government jobs. Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. and Sheriff Robert Maciol argued that the executive order unfairly targeted these professionals and jeopardized public safety by creating staffing shortages in the Sheriff's Office.
According to CNY Central, the county filed for the injunction on March 19, citing irreparable harm due to the inability to fill vacancies. The court agreed, allowing Oneida County to proceed with hiring. Three former officers have already been hired and will start their new roles on Thursday (April 3), with more hires expected soon.
LocalSYR reports that Oneida County plans to return to court on May 2 to seek a permanent injunction, which would prevent the governor's order from being renewed in the county. Sheriff Maciol emphasized the importance of the ruling for public safety, stating, "This ruling allows us to strengthen our workforce and better protect the residents of Oneida County."
The temporary order currently applies only to Oneida County, not statewide, as noted by Oneida County's official website.