Corrections officers marched for a new contract outside the Nassau County Legislature building in Mineola Wednesday.

Union officials said corrections officers look after 1,500 inmates in county jails, but have nobody taking care of their needs. Corrections officers have been without a contract since the end of 2004 and have not held negotiations since June 2006.

Union president John Duer wants the Legislature to approve binding arbitration, which would ensure a contract. However, Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) said that option is not good for the county long-term. "Binding arbitration has a history of just giving away money," Jacobs said.

Although nothing about the corrections officers' contract dispute was on the Legislature's docket, individuals were free to speak on the matter during the public comment section of its meeting.