WASHINGTON, DC—Allison Beck, Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), issued the following statement on the announcement that an agreement had been reached in negotiations between New York’s Consolidated Edison, Inc. (Con Edison) and the Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2:

“Under the auspices of Federal mediators, representatives from Con Edison and UWUA Local 1-2 were able to resolve their differences on major issues, such as wages and health care, which required long hours and intensive efforts at the bargaining table. Thanks to their efforts, Con Edison operations will continue without disruption as will the lives of Con Edison workers, their families, and Con Edison customers. I want to commend the parties for their commitment to resolving their differences at the bargaining table through the process of collective bargaining and to thank them also for their professionalism and for their cooperation with our mediators throughout a difficult and stressful process,” Ms. Beck stated.

“With this successful outcome, I also want to commend the work of the FMCS mediators who assisted the parties in reaching their agreement— Commissioners Ralph Quattrocchi and William Domini. I understand that the skills, expertise, resourcefulness and hard work by our mediators were essential ingredients in helping these parties resolve the complex issues that divided them. This announcement is certainly a tribute to them and to their outstanding efforts. ”

The agreement still must be ratified by the union and approved by the Con Edison Board of Trustees.