ConEd rally in Union Square 7-17-2012. Click photo to view album.

Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2, representing 8,500 workers at the New York utility who were locked out for four weeks in July, announced on August 15 that the proposed contract had been ratified by a 93 percent margin.

The lopsided vote reflects the fact that workers felt there was little alternative to the concessions demanded by the company, given their union’s support for the takeaways and refusal to mount any struggle. Some workers reported that 40 percent of those eligible did not cast ballots at all. Judging from the reaction from meter readers and clerical workers who spoke to reporters from the WSWS at Con Ed’s headquarters in Manhattan, most of those who did vote were equally disgusted.

The final contract, whose terms were not announced until a few days after Con Ed workers returned after the lockout ended last month, includes major concessions on pensions, health care and other provisions.
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