Correction union challenges jail demotions

The Nassau correction officers' union on Friday challenged the demotion of 30 corporals at the county jail in East Meadow, arguing that County Executive Edward Mangano missed a Dec. 29 deadline to reduce their rank to correction officer.

The Nassau County Sheriff Officers Association filed suit in Nassau Supreme Court, asking for the corporals to be reinstated with back pay.

The union, which represents more than 1,000 correction officers, contends the demotions Thursday reduced supervision and jeopardize safety at the jail while putting the former corporals in danger of inmate retaliation for past decisions.

But, after a hearing Friday, a state judge denied the union's requests to lift the demotions until the case is decided, said Nassau County Attorney John Ciampoli, whose office is handling the case with outside counsel. "It is absolutely an initial victory," he said.

He said the sheriff has the power to make personnel changes, not the union. Both parties are due back in court Jan. 20.

Union president John Jaronczyk said demoting the corporals was "a very poor decision."

"County Executive Mangano is not running the county, he's ruining the county," he said.

"Recent incidents show that even when fully staffed the Nassau County Correctional Center can be extremely dangerous," said Jaronczyk, referring to an inmate death that, according to officials, stemmed from a fight with another inmate last week.

Mangano spokeswoman Katie Grilli-Robles responded, "To suggest that demotions or union concessions will impact the safety of inmates or guards at the jail is absurd and residents will not be fooled by childish suggestions. " Mangano proposed hundreds of layoffs and demotions throughout the county to help close a projected $310 million budget deficit this year.

The legislature approved a plan that abolished as many as 48 of the 90 "correction corporal" positions at the jail.

With Ellen Yan