Consolidated Edison and the union representing 9,000 of its workers headed back to the bargaining table this morning with a midnight strike deadline looming.

The utility and Local 1-2 have been in a “cooling off” period for the last 72-hours, after round-the-clock negotiations this weekend yielded little progress.

Workers say they are prepared to walk off the job at midnight if a new agreement cannot be reached. A spokesperson says wages, health care costs, and pensions remain the sticking points.

A Con Ed spokesman told CBS2 HD that they are ready for a walkout. “The lights will stay on, service will be provided, management will run the system,” Michael Clendenin said.

If the union workers go on strike, Con Ed managers will work 12 hour shifts to take over the responsibilities. Many of them rose up through the ranks of the company, so they are experienced with the work.

(Source: NY1 / WCBSTV)