Con Ed workers locked out - New York News | NYC Breaking News

Unionized workers with Consolidated Edison are being locked out and managers are running the utility, after contract negotiations failed. More than 100 workers protested outside company headquarters Monday.

Union spokesman John Melia says negotiations between the power company and Local 1-2 of the Utility Workers of America lasted just over 10 days. The contract expired at midnight Saturday. The impasse came as New York braced for more high temperatures that will increase demand for air conditioning among the utility's 3.2 million customers.

At Con Ed headquarters, police have set up barricades in anticipation of protests by locked out workers.

A Washington Heights resident and his 5-year-old son have a way to stay cool without using electricity, but if the dispute affects service – he knows it won't be nearly as much fun. 

In the middle of the heat wave, negotiations between Con Ed and the utility workers union collapsed. Con Ed says it offered the union a two-week contract extension. 

It was rejected by the union. 

The unions' spokesperson says they were willing to stay on the job as long as talks continued – but that didn't happen. 

The situation is not sitting well with some customers. 

With the nearly 8,000 workers off the job, Con Ed says it has replaced them with 5,000 management personnel. For now, service is normal – but with no relief in sight, the question is for how long.

Utility customers like Jahmela Joseph who just brought an air conditioner, hopes it will stay that way, and that there will be no disruptions. 

"I understand they need those benefits, they need their pay and they deserve what they need – but this really is the worst time for New Yorkers," said Joseph. 

Con Ed says it has shut down walk-in payment centers and suspended meter readings. The workers union says you can expect to see their members protesting here and around the city.