NYC electric workers could strike during heat wave if union and Con Ed fail to reach agreement

As New Yorkers endure a prolonged heat wave this week, some 8,000 energy workers are on the verge of going on strike if their union and Con Edison cannot reach a collective bargaining agreement by midnight Saturday.

The members of Utility Workers of America Local 1-2 are mostly electrical technicians, engineers, designers and administrative workers whose four-year contracts expire Saturday. Union officials say negotiations will likely continue until the deadline, but Con Ed is optimistic about the outcome.

Still, the union believes the energy giant, which supplies all of New York City and Westchester County, needs to do more to support the workers who keep the power flowing.

“They act like they’re just another publicly traded company, even though they’ve rewarded their investors with a steady return for over 120 years,” said union spokesman John Melia. “Meanwhile, the professionals who keep the system running, the members of Local 1-2, are treated like an afterthought.”

Con Edison is an “investor-owned” utility but is still regulated by the New York State Public Service Commission, which recently approved a significant rate increase for the company. Customers’ electric bills rose about 9.1% in 2023 and another 4.2% this year. In 2025, bills will rise 3.8%. According to the PSC, the average monthly electric bill in New York City is about $190, up from $166 a decade ago.

“They are not doing badly,” Melia said. “Given the forecasts for increasing heat events, this is a critical time. It is urgent that we reach an agreement with them, otherwise they will fail in their responsibility to their customers and they are obliged by the state to deliver.”

The union has a policy of not divulging the specifics of negotiations, but Melia said wages, benefits, safety measures and job security are part of the talks. The contract is renewed every four years. In 2012, contract negotiations broke down and Con Ed “locked out” about 8,000 workers. The deadlock lasted three weeks until then-Governor Andrew Cuomo brought both parties to the bargaining table and negotiated a deal.

Allan Drury, a spokesman for Con Edison, said Saturday the company is committed to reaching a fair agreement with the union.

“The Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2 and Con Edison continue to have meaningful and productive discussions,” he said in a written statement. “We remain optimistic that these discussions will result in an agreement that is fair and equitable for both our employees and our customers.”

At 9 p.m. on Saturday, Melia told Gothamist that negotiations were still ongoing.

“Con Ed is currently on a collision course, but we are still at the negotiating table,” Melia said.