Dear Nassau COBA Member,

I'm writing to you in regards to the events that have been unfolding with our brother and sister Officers in New York State Corrections.

Although our County correctional facility may have different challenges than the challenges confronting State correctional facilities, we are united in solidarity, as Correction Officers, with our brothers and sisters in NYSCOPBA and firmly support their fight for safer working conditions, which all of us rightfully deserve.

We have been in discussions with the leaders of both the State corrections Union and other Correction Union leaders to discuss how we can collectively move forward to roll back some of the disastrous policies that have negatively impacted the correction work force as a whole.

Recently, myself and the Corrections Presidents of Suffolk, New York City, Westchester, Westchester Superior Officers, Orange County and Rockland County met and formed the Corrections Coalition of New York (CCNY) in order to be a united front for interests and needs of local Correctional Officers.

This also included meeting with legislative leaders in Albany and educating them about the consequences of HALT and not holding assaultive inmates accountable for their attacks on correction officers and other inmates.

As an essential workforce, Correction Officers should not have to stand in the bitter cold, day after day, to get the attention of lawmakers, who vote on legislation that impacts our lives every day, or the media, who often overlook the invaluable sacrifices we make to help maintain public safety. Too often, we are out of sight and out of mind in the public's eyes. But hopefully we can collectively use this opportunity to effect positive change.

We will continue to work with our fellow correction leaders who comprise The Corrections Coalition of New York to enact legislation that improves our quality of life and enhances our safety.

While there are laws that may restrict how we, as public sector workers, can protest, we must never shy away from fighting for our rights.

Sincerely,

Pete Lilli

President