Jun 29, 2008 2:10 am US/Eastern
Con Ed Contract Talks Go On Past Strike Deadline
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Talks between Con Ed and its union continued past a midnight deadline,
in an effort to avert a strike by 9,000 employees. Such a job action
hadn't occurred in 25 years. A union representative said "it doesn't
look good." The company said management employees were ready to take
over if a strike indeed was called. The talks were taking place in East
Rutherford, N.J.
The union representing 9,000 Con Ed workers in New York
City and Westchester bristled at the starting pay raise of "half a
percent." Aside from wages, other sticking points include medical costs
and a proposal that union members who retire while on worker's
compensation must repay benefits out of their pensions.
Con Ed spokesman Michael Clendenin said he is hopeful of an agreement.
"We'll be working through the night to get to an equitable contract. That's the goal," said Clendenin.
If
there is a strike, Clendenin said routine maintenance and meter reading
will be cut back, but the system will continue to hum right along.
"Our managers will be running the system," added Clendenin.
Con Ed workers are ready to strike, but not necessarily at the stroke of midnight.
Union
Spokesman Joe Flaherty said, "If the parties are close they would
probably continue talking. If not, there are a number of possibilities."
Con Edison customers hope both sides can work out a fair deal.
"We're all New Yorkers," said Traffic Officer Donald Razor. "We gotta suffer a little and work with each other."
"I would like the Con Ed people to think before they go on strike," added West Side resident Bobbi Rudd.
Although
the current contracts expired at midnight, Clendenin said, "if it seems
that both sides are still trying to hash out an agreement and will
achieve it, it has happened before that the clock has stopped and we
continue with the talks."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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