The union that represents New York correction officers is calling for an urgent meeting with the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to address a range of issues regarding the safety and working conditions of its workers, the state Correctional Officers and  Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) said in a release Friday.

The issues include those that contributed to the recent 22-day strike by correction officers — staffing shortages, workplace conditions, the implementation of 12-hour shifts, scheduled regular days off and vacation periods — and have reached a critical point, the organization said.

In addition, NYSCOPBA cited DOCCS Commissioner Daniel Martuscello’s memo earlier this week that could use early releases of inmates as a way to address a staffing shortage. The state will look to release those with fewer than four months left on their sentence, and the directive does not apply to those convicted of sex crimes, violent felonies, terrorism or arson.

“The early release of inmates undermines public safety and sends a troubling message to crime victims who continue to live with the trauma caused by those incarcerated and only highlights DOCCS failure to face the on-going consequences of staffing shortages in our prisons,” NYSCOPBA President Chris Summers said in a statement.

• SEE ALSO | DOCCS commissioner defends plan to release inmates early to ease staffing issue brought by strike

DOCCS and NYSCOPA have had a rocky relationship since the prison worker strike began and since it ended, as the agreement that brought employees back to work was delivered by bypassing the union altogether, an action the union called “tantamount slap in the face” in its release.

“We are deeply disappointed by the Department’s refusal to engage in a productive conversation about these critical issues,” Summers said. “Our members safety and the safety of the communities they serve should be a priority. The ongoing refusal to address these concerns only exacerbates the already dangerous conditions that exist in many of our facilities.”

“It’s time for the State and DOCCS to recognize the importance of these concerns and work together with us to find lasting solutions,” Summers added. “Temporary, short-sighted solutions of the early release of inmates is not a long-term solution needed to address workplace violence, staffing shortages and the inability to recruit new officers.  “We continue to urge the State and DOCCS leadership to engage with us in good faith. Our members deserve a seat at the table to ensure that their voices are heard, and their concerns are addressed. Refusing to do so is simply disingenuous to the sincere efforts made by NYSCOPBA to end the labor dispute.”