New York City council speaker calls on Con Ed to end lockout of 8,500 workers

New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn has written a letter to the CEO of Consolidated Edison calling on him to end the lockout of 8,500 of the utility's workers:

"Let me be clear, your actions do not have my support," Ms. Quinn, who is a leading contender for mayor next year, wrote to Mr. Burke. [...]

"Con Edison's decision to unilaterally impose a lockout during a heat wave, after 30 years of no job disruptions, was an escalation of management/labor tensions to an unprecedented degree, placing many New Yorkers' lives in danger."

Local 1-2 of the Utility Workers Union of America has petitioned the state Public Service Commission to end the lockout. Negotiations between Con Ed and the union are continuing, with federal mediators involved, but don't seem to be nearing resolution.

Some customers, meanwhile, appear to be expressing their support for the locked-out workers in a way likely to get management's attention:

On phone, told @conedison i cant in good conscience pay my bill this month. Customer rep had prepared statement ready. #lockout #solidarity
' @Newyorkist via Seesmic Asked #ConEd rep about prepared statement, and if ppl r calling to inform they wont pay bill in solidarity w union. "A few people have been"
' @Newyorkist via Seesmic Enough that the company has put together a statement, apparently.