New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday signed an executive order that banned the state from hiring any employees who were terminated over a 22-day workers' strike. 

Thousands of correction officers across the state walked off the job last month as part of the strike, but a deal was finally reached on Monday that brought 5,000 of the employees back. Those who did not return were given termination notices.

The employees were striking over forced overtime and strenuous working conditions that they say is the result of a 2022 law change that has made their jobs more difficult, and dangerous. 

“My top priority is the safety and well-being of all New Yorkers — and I have been working around the clock to end this illegal work stoppage and restore safety in our correctional system,” Hochul said in a statement. “We have taken unprecedented steps to protect public safety, and I am grateful to the National Guard and DOCCS personnel who stayed on the job, going above and beyond to protect their fellow New Yorkers."

The order is expected to impact 2,000 corrections officers who were terminated, and prohibits state agencies from hiring those employees. 

The governor said there are currently over 10,000 security personnel working at the state's correctional facilities, with more than 6,000 members of the National Guard deployed, according to Spectrum News.

Hochul said her focus now is on hiring more correction officers and supporting existing staff at the correctional facilities.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.