The Wall Street Journal, July 9, 2012, Monday

The Wall Street Journal

July 9, 2012, Monday

The Wall Street Journal

ConEd Tackles Union Tasks

ConEd's strategy in dealing with the lockout isn't unusual. Utilities must take measures to continue operations during a work stoppage, said Ken Margolies, senior associate at the Worker Institute at Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations. That includes using supervisors, calling in retirees and borrowing workers from other utility companies.

But the approach could be risky. "It could have some bearing on safety in that when you're in a manhole with a crew, you all depend on each other," Mr. Margolies said. "People who know each other and communicate well with each other are safer than people who are just thrown together."