Benny Boscio Jr. is a veteran labor leader and a New York City Correction Officer with twenty-seven years of experience, proudly serving the City of New York.

 

He began his career with the New York City Department of Correction in 1999, serving in multiple frontline commands, including the Anna M. Kross Center, the Applicant Investigation Unit, the Vernon C. Bain Center, and the Bronx Courts. These assignments gave him a comprehensive, first-hand understanding of correctional operations, workforce challenges, and the critical role Correction Officers play in maintaining public safety.

Benny’s commitment to public service and labor advocacy led him to the Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association (COBA), where he has spent over two decades, fighting for policies that strengthen workforce stability, officer safety, and institutional accountability. Beginning as a Delegate in 2005, he rose through the ranks of the union’s Executive Board in 2010, serving as Sergeant-at-Arms and earning a reputation as a disciplined negotiator and an effective, no-nonsense labor leader.

In 2020, amid unprecedented operational, fiscal, and public safety challenges, Benny was elected President of COBA by an overwhelming margin. Now in his second term as COBA President, he oversees the union’s operations and serves as its chief labor negotiator, spokesman and legislative advocate.

Under Benny’s administration, COBA negotiated the most significant compensation package for Correction Officers in more than 15 years—an 18.77% compounded wage increase over five years—along with pensionable retention bonuses and post-awarded assignments. When contractually owed raises and retroactive payments were threatened with delay, Benny successfully pursued arbitration, securing a binding award that delivered full compensation to all active COBA members.

Benny developed significant enhancements to membership benefits, including dental, optical, and prescription drug coverage. He aggressively defended officers throughout the disciplinary process, achieving the highest number of OATH dismissals in the union’s history, and unprecedented reductions in misconduct charges—reinforcing fairness and due process within the disciplinary system.

A central component of Benny’s leadership has been legislative advocacy. In 2026, he spearheaded a grassroots legislative initiative to lobby for the restoration of COBA’s 20 year retirement benefit. Thanks to his relentless advocacy and countless meetings with lawmakers in the New York City Council, the New York State Senate, the New York State Assembly and the Governor’s office, he secured the restoration of COBA’s 20-year retirement benefit. He also ensured that all COBA members retiring after 20 years of service would also receive their Variable Supplement Fund payment. 

He has worked closely with state lawmakers to pass measures that prohibit discipline for COVID-19-related absences, provide childcare leave credits for officers caring for a new child, restore firearm carry rights for retired Correction Officers in restricted and sensitive locations, and made the first meaningful improvements to the CF-22/Modified Tier 3 pension plan benefiting Correction Officers hired after 2012. Additionally,  he has introduced legislation to elevate the sexual assaults of New York City Correction Officers from a Misdemeanor to a Felony offense, reinforcing accountability and deterrence for assaultive inmates.

 

He has been a frequent guest speaker at labor conferences across the country, sharing his experiences and providing his insights on law enforcement union advocacy. He remains focused on strengthening recruitment and retention initiatives to maintain safe staffing levels, modernizing member benefits, protecting due process rights, and ensuring that New York City Correction Officers have the resources necessary to perform their duties safely.