8,500 ConEd Workers Locked Out After Union, Managers Fail to Reach Contract

New York power utility Consolidated Edison locked out its unionized workers early on Sunday after contract talks reached an impasse Saturday night, raising the possibility of power cuts during a summer heat wave, reported msnnbc.com.

While the company asked that negotiations continue for two more weeks, workers refused, msnbc.com reported. The labor union told employees not to report for work on Sunday.

Management for Con Edison, whose company provides the power for the majority of Westchester and New York City, told NY Daily News reporters 

However, with a heat-wave well under way—increasing the risk of widespread power outages—the controversy has the potential to lead to alarming consequences for many customers.

According to msnbc.com report:

John Melia, a spokesman for the Utilities Workers Union of America (UWUA) said that as of 2 a.m. Sunday (EDT) its 8,500 ConEd power workers were locked out...Both sides continued talking for over an hour after the midnight Saturday deadline expired, but failed to reach a settlement over a new contract for the company's unionized workers. A major sticking point in the contract was ConEd's plan to phase out defined pensions.

With workers out of commission, ConEd managers are tasked with dealing with the damage control that may be necessary if the heat wave keeps up. 

Union members say all they want "is a fair contract."

Read more on msnbc.com.