Con Ed Curtails Services After Talks Break Down Consolidated Edison is suspending meter reading, closing walk-in centers and slowing work on large projects as its managers take the place of union members ordered not to return to work after contract negotiations broke down early Sunday morning. The union said about 8,000 workers had been locked out after their contract expired at 12:01 a.m. Sunday. About 5,000 managers, including some former union members, will step in to keep the utility running, Con Ed said, but union leaders warned that those managers might not have the numbers or the training to keep up if hot weather and increased demand for air conditioning created major power failures. To reduce strain on the system, the utility is focusing on essential operations. The first priority will be responding to emergencies, according to Con Ed's Web site. Con Ed urged customers to report any problems by calling 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633) or visiting its Web site, www.coned.com, which provides information on how the changes affect consumers. To avoid being billed for estimated electricity and gas use while meter readings are suspended, customers can report their readings by phone or on the Web site on their usual reading date. Customers who usually use walk-in centers can pay their bills online, by phone or at authorized payment locations found on the Web site by clicking on "Ways to Pay My Bill" under Customer Central. The dispute between Con Ed and the union, Local 1-2 of the Utility Workers Union of America, centers on pension benefits. Talks continued into the early morning, but the two sides were far from agreement. Con Ed said it wanted to continue the current contract if the union promised not to strike without seven days" notice; the union rejected that offer but said it was willing to keep its workers on the job without a contract and continue the talks. At noon Sunday, Con Ed's Web site showed that 59 customers were without power; there are virtually always a few power failures in utility's service area, covering New York City and Westchester County.