New York utility workers who were locked out over the weekend by Consolidated Edison have asked federal mediators to step in. The company locked out around 8,500 workers when contract talks stalled on Saturday as the agreement expired. The company has trained managers to fill in for the workers during the lockout, and plans on hiring some retirees. The company had asked for a two-week extension of talks, which the union had declined because it would limit their option to strike, however the union says that they are willing to negotiate. A major issue in the negotiations is the plan to phase out defined pensions for workers.
See "Locked-out Con Ed union workers ask Feds to step in", Steve James, Reuters, July 1, 2012