Ahead of storm, Con Edison, union reach contract deal
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N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Con Edison and Local 1-2 of the Utility Workers of America have reached a tentative contract deal, ending a labor lockout that lasted almost a month.
Earlier in the day, Cuomo said the union representing locked out Con Ed workers and the utility's management had reached a temporary deal to allow some workers to return to the job because of anticipated storms.
Con Ed CEO Kevin Burke said at an afternoon news conference that the overhead power delivery system is vulnerable in storms, so about 3,000 workers were allowed to return ro work for the 4 p.m.-to-midnight shift to assist with potential power restoration.
"This is a thunderstorm that they said could even produce perhaps heavy hail or tornadoes, the concern is the overhead distribution system," he said. "Trees come down, they impact our distribution lines, and take service out to people."
At that news conference, Cuomo said his representatives would remain at the table with Con Ed and the union to help them reach finalize the full deal.
The term of the four-year agreement have not been released because the union's executive committee, the union membership, and Con Ed's board all have to sign off first.
"You don't want a storm hitting New York City without Con Ed being at full force," Cuomo said.
Cuomo thanked President Harry Farrell of Local 1-2, President of the International Union of UAW Michael Langford, and Con Ed's Burke for "putting the interests of the people first."
Con Ed issued a statement saying: "We would like to thank Governor Cuomo for his support and guidance in helping Con Edison and the leadership of UWUA Local 1-2 reach a tentative agreement that is fair and equitable for our employees and customers. We look forward to our union employees returning to work. We appreciate the efforts of everyone involved in the talks to reach this agreement."
Eight-thousand workers have been locked-out since June 30. Approximately half of the workers will return to work immediately, according to the Associated Press.
John Melia of Local 1-2 of the Utility Workers Union of America said its entire electrical operations work force will go back to work Thursday.
Some 5,000 managers had been keeping electricity going for 3.2 million customers in New York City and Westchester County.
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