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New York has terminated over 2,000 prison guards who failed to return to work after a weeks-long wildcat strike that disrupted the state's correctional system.

This comes after the state declared the strike officially over, despite falling short of the return-to-work goal set in a new deal with the guards' union.

After 22 days of the illegal strike, which began on February 17, state officials announced the end of the work stoppage.

According to AP, Commissioner Daniel Martuscello confirmed during a press briefing, "After 22 days of an illegal strike, the governor and I are happy to report it is now ended."

The strike, which was initiated by guards frustrated with working conditions, forced Governor Kathy Hochul to deploy National Guard troops to maintain order in state prisons.

The deal reached over the weekend between the state and the guards' union required at least 85% of officers to return by Monday morning. However, the number of guards who actually returned fell short of that goal.

Despite this, the state announced it would honor certain provisions of the agreement, including overtime for returning officers.

Martuscello confirmed that the state would continue to rely on National Guard troops in support positions while launching a recruitment campaign to address staffing shortages.

Before the strike, New York's prison system had about 13,500 security staff, but this has now been reduced to approximately 10,000 available officers.

"Termination letters have been sent to over 2,000 officers who remained on strike," Martuscello explained. Those who did not have pre-approved medical leave and failed to meet the return deadline of 6:45 a.m. on Monday were fired immediately.

New York State Fights Wildcat Strike as Guards Demand Better Working Conditions

The guards' union, the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association, was contacted for comment, but no immediate response was received.

The strike was a response to the guards' dissatisfaction with working conditions, including long shifts and understaffing.

It also led to deteriorating conditions within the state's prisons, with inmates reporting worsening situations.

The tragic death of 22-year-old Messiah Nantwi at the Mid-State Correctional Facility on March 1 is currently under investigation by a special prosecutor, though it is unclear if strike-related conditions contributed to the incident, CNN said.

Authorities have also initiated investigations into previous inmate deaths linked to prison conditions.

The work stoppage violated a state law prohibiting strikes by public employees, and was not officially sanctioned by the guards' union. Two previous attempts to end the strike failed to bring enough guards back to work.

The latest agreement between the state and union offers a 90-day suspension of a state law that restricts the use of solitary confinement. Guards will work extended 12-hour shifts, and the state has agreed not to discipline those who returned to work by the deadline.