Unions rally in NYC in support of Con Ed workers

Photo taken by Demian Schroeder

Hundreds of union members have been rallying in Manhattan in support of locked out Consolidated Edison workers.


Tuesday's festive rally was held in Union Square as another heat wave blanketed New York City.

The Con Ed workers were locked out on June 30 after their contract expired and negotiations over a new one failed. About 5,000 managers are keeping electricity going for 3.2 million customers in New York City and Westchester County. Talks between the utility and its largest union resumed on Monday.

Neither Con Ed nor the Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2 has indicated any real progress.

Union spokesman John Melia says the company "bowed to public pressure" in reinstating health insurance for the 8,500 locked-out workers. Workers are covered for July, retroactively.