Con Edison negotiations fail, workers locked out

[maddezmom]

Source: 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.


Read more: http://www.newsday.com/news/new-york/con-edison-negotiations-fail-workers-locked-out-1.3816200

[AllyCat]

1. Jeez, this is not good. 10 days is all they talked?

[madrchsod]

2. the guys who hooked up my power last night were done around 11

the guy on the poll rerouted a wire by building a new fixture. he had a guy on the ground that was holding a flash light so he could see. these guys don`t quit until the power is on.

i`ve done some incredibly dangerous jobs in my life but my hat is off to these guys. as far as i`m concerned they earn every penny they make.

[IamK]

4. the guy on the ground's job could be eliminated with this...

[Tejas]

5. metal hardhats = NO!

[FreakinDJ]

7. Demonstrates you are utterly clueless about line work

Not only does the "Groundsmen" hold flashlights but they also fetch tools and materials for the linemen working up on the pole. This eliminates needless trips up and down the pole which is one of the more dangerous procedures the lineman will encounter while working to ensure YOU have power in your home

[kartski]

8. Skilled workers can do a lot of work from the ground.

There are hot stick tools the can be used to relocate and secure lines without climbing or
a bucket truck. Cleaning up after a storm and there is a lot of repair to be done and resources
are limited, people with the skill can move things along. It is skilled work, my eye sight sucks,
I could never do it.

http://www.utilitysolutionsinc.com//utilitycatalog/catalogAllSC.cfm?CatID=14&CN=Fiberglass%20Hot%20Sticks

[SoulSearcher]

9. not to mention..

backup. plain and simple. Police do that routinely
on a call - I would think the potential for danger
is different but you gotta respect high voltage...

[Ruby the Liberal]

3. In the middle of a heat wave?

[Tejas]

6. Bloomberg will fix it by banning toilet paper.

[boppers]

10. 8,000 workers, 5,000 managers? WTF?

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ed-locks-8-000-employees-managers-system-talks-union-break-article-1.1105824?localLinksEnabled=false

"On the third day of the worst heat wave of the summer, Consolidated Edison locked out 8,000 workers early Sunday morning after contract talks with the union broke down.
The utility stopped meter reading and shuttered walk-in centers as 5,000 managers took the place of the union members."

Does that seem funny to anybody else?

[littlewolf]

11. 5000 managers ...

maybe a little top heavy ... ya think ....