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WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. ― Con Edison officials said the company will continue to respond to any emergencies that arise, but non-emergency services will be limited, according to a statement released after contract talks between the utility company and unionized workers broke down shortly before 2 a.m. on Sunday.
After Con Ed and Local 1-2 of the Utility Workers of America failed to reach an agreement before the workers' contract expired at midnight Saturday, 8,500 union members were locked out of the company and around 5000 managers were called in to maintain electric, gas and steam service to the utility company’s 3.2 million customers.
Con Ed officials stated that New York customers, excluding those living in Staten Island, should be aware of certain service changes.
The company advised customers that they can continue to call 1-800-75CONED for service problems at any time. Any customer who smells gas should call the company immediately.
For questions about bills, Con Ed asked that customers call between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Con Ed said that company walk-in centers will be closed, but payments will continue to be processed through all other regular channels.
Additionally, Con Ed said that meter reading will be suspended for most customers, and estimates will be automatically prepared based on account records.
According to Con Ed's statement, “All company personnel have been preparing for the possibility of a union work stoppage for months.”
The company dispatched management employees to report to their field assignments Sunday morning at 1 a.m., according to the statement, and "trained and experienced management personnel are staffing essential operations."
After the talks failed, Con Ed spokesman Michael Clendenin said the company's offer to extend the current contract to July 14 while contract talks continued remains on the table, adding that if the union leadership agreed to extend the current contract, the company would "welcome its employees back immediately."
Local union delegate Robert Benson of Lake Carmel, N.Y., who works out of Con Ed's Eastview Service Center in Valhalla, said that union workers began picketing Con Ed sites at 2 a.m., right after talks broke down. The picketing will continue 24 hours a day, seven days a week until workers get their fair contract, he said.
"They are tying to take away our pay, they are trying to take away our pension and they are trying to take away our benefits," Benson said.
According to Benson, Local 1-2 leaders have encouraged all union workers to file for New York state unemployment benefits on Monday morning.
"I don’t know when they're going to sit down and negotiate the contract again," he said. "I would think they're going to do it probably tomorrow because you’re going to have 8,500 people applying for unemployment first thing in the morning.”
Benson said he will know more on Tuesday after he meets with his union.
Comments (8)
Unless you are in the room where contract talks are taking place no one knows the truth about the contract offered and rejected. Whatever you hear from either side is not the truth. What I do know is my electric and gas rates are one of the highest in the state and maybe the nation. Con Ed's labor structure has something to do with that, more than the CEO's pay.
Totally disagree with you TRUTH. Public utilities is not something to treat casually. Especially in July. It effects the public health and safety. What the heck would motivate Con Ed executives to LOCKOUT 8,000 essential and skilled employees. Yes, we have high utility rates but we also have high property values. Do you really expect to pay the same utility costs in the New York area as oppossed to say Santa Fe, NM. These workers should be called back ASAP and both parties should go back to the negotiating table. That is unless the motivation is to union bust Local 1-2. Jeff Meyer Tuckahoe, NY
I agree that the talks should continue to get a fair contract in place but what leverage does management have against the union, but a lockout? If the union has a strike threat as leverage against the company, isn't a lockout the counterbalance to that power. Fair collective bargaining does not give one side an advantage. As for cheaper electric rates you do not have to go to New Mexico but simply drive north to Bedford and beyond, they have rates at 40% less then Con Edison. Property values and taxes are not that much different. Are New York State Electric and Gas employees in a different union than Con Edison?
How is offering you the same contract, taking away pay, benefits, and pension? sounds to me like they want raises and were told no.
Wait, how can they refuse to work and yet collect unemployment?
That is ridiculous.
If I said I refused to work at my job because they didn't give me a raise I would be fired and I wouldn't receive unemployment.
I support Con Edison.
Why does everyone in this country think they deserve everything without working for it?
I hope we get out from these unions thumbs.
Read the article. IT IS NOT A STRIKE, IT IS A LOCKOUT. It's nice that you support Con Ed management and the $11,000,000 compensation package that their CEO receives. It would make my day if you went to a Con Ed union rally today and tolds them so in person Mr/Mrs jprog. Jeff Meyer Tuckahoe, NY
This is not a strike. It is a management LOCKOUT on the part of a greedy and selfish monopoly. I support Local 1-2. The Con Ed worker is entitled to unemployment benefits. I hope we get out from these selfish management thumbs. Jeff Meyer Tuckahoe, NY