Utility Union Threatens Strike During Historic Heatwave

by Evil 1 Posted 2012/07/01 11:15:56

Related Topics: Pension, Customers, Union, Issues, America, Contract, Negotiations, Expire, Discussion, Heat, Workers, Fair, Employees

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Con Edison has authorized a strike if necessary; its contract expires at midnight Saturday

The second heat wave of the summer will again test the power grid in our area just as a deadline comes for a possible Con Edison strike.

Con Edison and its workers are in the middle of contract negotiations, with the current contract for Local 1-2 of the Utility Workers of America expiring at midnight Saturday.

John Melia, a spokesman for the union that represents about 8,500 workers, said there are issues over pensions. He said members in May authorized a strike if necessary.

Con Ed said it looked forward to "productive discussions with the union leadership on a new contract that's fair and equitable for our employees and customers."

kir 2012/07/01 11:26:43

+8
I don't know; I think the union workers of the past who went on strike over dangerous working conditions would be disgusted by the trivial nature of modern day strikes. I also think that it's disgusting that they would strike at a time that could risk people their lives.
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More polls by Evil 1

2sly 2012/07/02 08:40:03

+1
They to live in the same area so if power goes out they have to suffer along with you. But I despise Unions and think their fight over retirement funds is very trivial.
F K the Unions
NOBAMA 2012

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Diane Spraggs Yates 2012/07/01 18:22:12

+1
Tell them they would be liable for any heat death and punished under a law of big fines and jail time !!!!!

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betz 2012/07/01 15:54:46

+3
Such caring people aren't they? Let's hope none of them have AC and not enough money for the local Motel 6. Let's also hope if they do go through with this that they stay on strike for a long long time. Others can then have a chance for a job. :)

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mustangluver 2012/07/01 15:33:48

+4
So the strikers won't have electricity either right?

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Evil 1 to mustang... 2012/07/01 15:36:08

+4
They're not intelligent enough to think that far ahead. LOL

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mustang... to Evil 1 2012/07/01 15:37:32

+3
LOL...hope they sweat their asses off!

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betz to mustang... 2012/07/01 15:55:35

+4
Yep and hopefully not enough money for a room at a local hotel. LOL

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mustang... to betz 2012/07/01 18:05:16

+1
Oh those damn hotels!!! LOL

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Diane S... to mustang... 2012/07/01 18:23:36

+1
Hope the bed bugs don't bite LOL!!!!

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Tinka123 2012/07/01 13:41:56

+2
The would be an extremely disgusting thing to do.

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Evil 1 to Tinka123 2012/07/01 14:43:21

+3
Yes it would. But remember you're dealing with a union.

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Ozzyboy 2012/07/01 13:09:59

+5
Nothing says extortion like a threatened union strike. Gotta feather those union pensions, ya know!

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Cyan9 2012/07/01 12:57:54

Unions never strike. They say they will but always back down in fear.

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Evil 1 to Cyan9 2012/07/01 12:59:38

+3
Are you being facetious?

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Cyan9 to Evil 1 2012/07/01 16:20:02

+1
Of course they strike. My point was that one that simply negotiating a contract doesn't mean anyone is going on strike. Two, that striking is relatively rare. It hurts both the union and the company, so it's never a first option. It does happen but not with the frequency that is being portrayed here. Lots of things influence if a strike happens or not. But I think it's far too early to ring the bells of alaramism. So I apologize for coming off a bit hyperbolic. I simply wished to make the point that I remain doubtful, a strike is about to break out.

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betz to Cyan9 2012/07/01 16:37:16

We can hope that you are correct and thanks for the clarification Cyan.

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Evil 1 to Cyan9 2012/07/01 17:58:27 (edited)

+1
The fact that the union would even throw out the possibility of a strike during a situation like this is apalling and shows exactly where they are coming from. I have no use for todays unions. They have become nothing but corrupt organized criminals who take care of those in the higher eschelon as well as the corrupt politicians they buy. For the union to even bring up a strike rings bells of alarmism. And as for unions not striking, I had the great displeasure of being a UAW member for a short period of time and to even insinuate that they normally do not strike is far from the truth.

I for one will not give a union one inch or any consideration that they would do the right thing. Because if you give them an inch they will take miles and they would have to possess some redeeming qualities to receive consideration.

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Evil 1 to Cyan9 2012/07/01 22:07:11

+1
Just thought I would give you an update. Looks like the union is beginning the walkout:

Home / News / Nation
NY utility, union talks collapse amid hot weather

Home / News / Nation
NY utility, union talks collapse amid hot weather

NEW YORK—Consolidated Edison closed walk-in centers, suspended meter readings and limited work on major construction projects in New York on Sunday after contract talks between the utility and its unionized workers broke down in the middle of a wave of extremely hot weather.

Negotiations stopped just before 2 a.m. Sunday, a couple of hours after the existing contract expired. 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.

On Sunday morning, police set up barricades in front of Con Ed's headquarters near Manhattan's Union Square.

"This is crazy! There's a heat wave," said David Palomino, a facility mechanic who rushed to headquarters after finishing his early shift to find out what was coming next. He was one of few workers there; a union official said more picketing was planned for Monday.

"The fight has escalated" between the two sides, Palomino said, explaining that workers fear losing chunks of their pensions and benefits.

(re...

Just thought I would give you an update. Looks like the union is beginning the walkout:

Home / News / Nation
NY utility, union talks collapse amid hot weather

Home / News / Nation
NY utility, union talks collapse amid hot weather

NEW YORK—Consolidated Edison closed walk-in centers, suspended meter readings and limited work on major construction projects in New York on Sunday after contract talks between the utility and its unionized workers broke down in the middle of a wave of extremely hot weather.

Negotiations stopped just before 2 a.m. Sunday, a couple of hours after the existing contract expired. 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.

On Sunday morning, police set up barricades in front of Con Ed's headquarters near Manhattan's Union Square.

"This is crazy! There's a heat wave," said David Palomino, a facility mechanic who rushed to headquarters after finishing his early shift to find out what was coming next. He was one of few workers there; a union official said more picketing was planned for Monday.

"The fight has escalated" between the two sides, Palomino said, explaining that workers fear losing chunks of their pensions and benefits.

(read rest of article. Both sides are blaming each other but there is no excuse for the unions strong arm tactics)

http://www.boston.com/news/na...
(more)

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Cyan9 to Evil 1 2012/07/01 23:12:00

"Con Ed locked workers out when the union said it preferred to keep talking and keep workers at the jobs without a contract in the interim."

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Evil 1 to Cyan9 2012/07/01 23:14:57 (edited)

Try reading the entire article. If you do then you will see the facts and the truth. Unless of course you choose to pick and choose in an attempt to support the despicable actions of the union.

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betz to Cyan9 2012/07/01 15:56:28

+1
Oh but they do Cyan. Can't imagine they recoup their lost wages though. Foolish stuff.

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Cyan9 to betz 2012/07/01 16:20:22

+1
I responded with the comment above.

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Sgt Major B 2012/07/01 12:06:00

+6
Nothing like threatening the welfare of the public to gain leverage in your attempt to satisfy your greed. Who in the supposed "1%" made a similar threat?

Once again, the blatant hypocrisy, the self-interest, the lemming-like instincts of the left are bared for all to see. Yet the union thugs still claim to have nothing but 'real Americans' interests at heart and their gain is a supposed gain for all. They're as much a blight on society as the scum that make up OWS.

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ed 2012/07/01 11:35:18

+4
the unions today are a bunch of wussies,this country would do better with none period.

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kir 2012/07/01 11:26:43

+8
I don't know; I think the union workers of the past who went on strike over dangerous working conditions would be disgusted by the trivial nature of modern day strikes. I also think that it's disgusting that they would strike at a time that could risk people their lives.

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Evil 1 to kir 2012/07/01 11:36:56

+7
You are exactly right. The unions of today have become nothing but corrupt criminal organizations whose sole purpose it to serve and benefit those in the higher echelon and the politicians they buy. This utility union threatening to strike during a record heatwave compares to strong arm tactics that were used by the mafia in its heyday.

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mustang... to kir 2012/07/01 15:40:04

+5
There are tons of ppl depending on oxygen and nebulizers.

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4dc to kir 2012/07/01 23:51:50

+1
i thought i had something to say...but you've said it best...i couldn't agree more

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kir to 4dc 2012/07/02 00:00:58

+1
Thanks; I think.

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4dc to kir 2012/07/02 00:05:23

+1
yes...thanks for real...very well said and so true

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Evil 1 2012/07/01 11:17:58

+7
And the unions honestly wonder why they are losing support?

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