BOSTON -- About 2,000 unionized NStar workers went on strike early Monday after contract negotiations failed.

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Gail Huff Reports On Strike

NewsCenter 5's Gail Huff reported that the workers began picketing at midnight when their existing contract expired. Police were on the scene at the NStar service dispatch center to make sure that managers and non-union workers could get to their jobs as union workers, standing out in the rain with umbrellas and strike signs hung around their necks, heckled them with cries of "We're closed!"

Gary Sullivan, president of the Utility Workers Union of America, Local 369, said that the company's latest offer did not resolve issues regarding retirement benefits and safe staffing.

The union represents linemen and engineers in the Boston metropolitan area, Worcester and coastal areas from Cape Cod to Cape Ann.

NStar said its linemen earned an average of $97,000 last year.

Utility management, however, said their last offer included pay increases, higher staffing levels and a "world class" benefits package.

While the strike is going on, NStar said it would be using non-union workers and managers and acknowledge that because of the situation it may not be able to provide some non-essential services, so there may be delays in response to customer calls, customer connections, systems upgrades and construction work.

Boston-based NStar said it plans to assign managers and contractors to ensure service is not disrupted to 1.1 million electric customers and 300,000 natural gas customers. The investor-owned utility has about 3,000 employees.

There is no new date or time set for continued negotiations.

Mayor Thomas Menino said he hopes both sides can go back to the bargaining table soon.

"I just hope that they come to an agreement as quickly as possible. They've been at the table it's time to do marathon negotiations so that we will not have any interruptions in services," Menino said.