Negotiations break down, Con Ed workers dismissed

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NEW YORK (AP) — Contract negotiations between Consolidated
Edison and its unionized workers broke down early Sunday, prompting the
dismissal of about 8,500 workers, utility officials said. Union
officials said the workers were locked out.
The negotiations
occurred as New York braced for more hot weather, and caused worry that
people would be unable to use power for air conditioning, but utility
officials said those fears are unfounded.
Negotiations between the
Con Ed and Local 1-2 of the Utility Workers of America lasted just over
10 days. The contract expired at midnight Saturday, but talks continued
early Sunday. There were a range of issues discussed from pensions to
heath care and wages.
Negotiations broke down just before 2 a.m.
"We feel this is very unfortunate. Both sides are very far part," Con Ed
spokesman Michael Clendenin said.
Union spokesman John Melia said the union negotiators were kicked out of the room in
what he called a "union-busting tactic."
"This is not a labor issue," he said. "This is a corporate
monopoly."
Clendenin
said the company was calling in 5,000 managers, some of them
immediately, to run the utility because it couldn’t run the risk of a
strike by the workers. He said company officials had asked the union for
a two-week extension to negotiate before talks broke down, which union
officials denied.
Melia said the workers told the company they’d
be willing to work without a contract until an agreement was reached to
keep the power company running.
"We did everything to avert this
action," he said. "We recognize that New York City is sweltering right
now. … We recognize we have a responsibility to the people of New York
City and Westchester County."
The utility serves about 3.2 million customers.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

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