New York state Senate Republicans on Tuesday called for Gov. Kathy Hochul to rescind her executive order that prohibits the state from hiring at any state service job any correction officers that were terminated or resigned as a result of the three-week wildcat strike, according to a letter the conference sent.

The executive order also recommends these workers be removed from the Central Registry of Police and Peace Officers for cause. It means they would also be prevented from being hired as a police or peace officer in state and local jurisdictions. About 2,000 termination notices were sent out when the state declared the strike as over on March 10.

“In a state where employers are barred from inquiring about a job applicant’s criminal history, this Executive Order prohibits state and local employment for law enforcement officials whose only sin was standing up for safer working conditions,” the letter reads. “Providing these correction officers with the opportunity to return to work or seek alternate employment with the State or a locality will not only help them and their families, but it will help the thousands of National Guard members who were called to fill in staffing shortages at prisons throughout the state.”

Hochul’s executive order has received pushback particularly at the county level. Chemung County filed a lawsuit over the order late last week and the Oneida County Board of Legislators approved a resolution allowing them to sue, arguing the governor overstepped.

“Barring county employment for the 2,000 correction officers means it will be more difficult for county jails to hire correction officers. In addition, our local county prisons have been directed not to transfer inmates to state prisons until at least April 1, resulting in an uptick in their inmate population,” the Republicans’ letter reads.

At heart of the issue is a state law that says employers can't hold prior criminal convictions against employees in hiring but there are limitations, though no officer has technically been convicted of violating the state's Taylor Law, which bars most public employees from striking.