Albany – The Assembly Committees on Energy, Labor and Corporations, Authorities and Commissions held a public hearing today regarding Consolidated Edison’s decision to lockout their unionized employees on July 1st. The hearing examined the procedures that have been established to ensure that adequate services are provided to consumers in the event of a power emergency or disruption in services. Representatives of Consolidated Edison, the Public Service Commission and Con Ed’s unionized workforce testified.

Assembly Energy Committee Chair Kevin Cahill stated, “Con Ed’s decision to lockout it’s well trained and experienced employees has put both the public and its workers at risk in terms of safety and reliability. Today’s hearing demonstrated that the Public Service Commission has both the authority and the responsibility to intervene.”

Members of the Assembly committees spent hours grilling Con Edison, the Public Service Commission and representatives of the employees that have been locked out about how a replacement workforce, made up of one-third of the workers prior to July 1st, could maintain the safety and reliability of the system.

“The Public Service Commission cannot afford to wait unit tragedy strikes to take action,” said Assemblyman Cahill. “Today’s hearing clearly demonstrated that they have the right and moral authority to act in the best interest of the public. I am glad to see that Governor Cuomo agrees with our assessment.”