The state and the guards union had struck a deal to end the strike, but it was contingent on at least 85% of staff returning to work.

New York fired more than 2,000 prison guards Monday for failing to return to work after a strike that crippled the state's correctional system, but still declared the illegal work stoppage over.

More than 2,000 New York prison guards who were fired for illegally walking off the job were barred Tuesday from being hired for other state jobs by Gov. Kathy Hochul as officials took steps to recover from a three-week wildcat strike that severely strained the corrections system.