With the heat pressing down on New Yorkers, pressure is mounting from all sides to resolve a Consolidated Edison lockout that left workers off their jobs while managers are keeping the electrical power going.

"Con Ed must end its lockout and allow the workers to return to their jobs while the new contract is negotiated," City Council Speaker Christine Quinn said in a statement Monday.

"When the power goes out and air conditioning and lights go off, it is often the most vulnerable such as the elderly and chronically ill that suffer with often serious consequences," the speaker said.

On Monday, union workers' tempers rose along with the heat on city streets.

"Kevin Burke, come out with your hands up, we want our pensions!" mechanic John Lucchini yelled into a bullhorn, naming Con Ed's CEO amid a protest in front of company headquarters.

Elsewhere in New York City, union leaders planned their next move following the breakdown of contract talks Sunday after a midnight deadline.