As the midnight deadline to create a new contract approached, Con Edison and the utility workers’ union were still negotiating Saturday evening.

The union previously accused the utility of provoking a labor dispute.

Local 1-2 union officials say they received a “low-ball” offer from the utility Friday. The union did not publicly release their demands, but filed a grievance the same dayagainst Con Ed with the National Labor Relations Board.

A spokesperson says the utility offered a half-percent pay hike effective Sunday, another half-percent hike in January, and 1 percent hikes in June of each of the next three years, plus additional half-percent merit increases.

The union also accused Con Ed of looking to cut pension and health benefits.

As of Saturday evening, Con Ed officials did not discuss details of the talks, but said in a statement that they are working on reaching a fair and equitable contract.

Last month, Con Ed submitted two proposals to state regulators seeking to boost electric rates over the next three years.

Local 1-2 represents 9,000 electric, gas and steam workers in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx and Westchester.

(Source: NY1)