Contract negotiations between Con Ed and its union employees short circuited early this morning — leading the utility to lock out workers, sources said.
“Talks have broken down,” Con Ed spokesman Michael Clendenin said. “We asked the union for a 2-week contract extension to keep the talks going and they refused.”
ConEd said management personnel began running the system as of 2 a.m.
Union spokesman John Melia said the utility stalled the talks every step of the way.
“Con Ed took an irresponsible step and in essence told the people of New York City to drop dead,” he said.
Con Ed said lights and air conditioners will still run even with Local 1-2 of the Utility Workers of America’s 8,500 workers not at work, but big upgrades and repairs will be slowed. The old contract expired at midnight, but talks pushed on for another two hours. Negotiations with Local 1-2 of the Utility Workers of America have been ongoing for 10 days.
The company said a wide range of issues were on the table, from pensions to wages and health care.