Beacon Hill pressuring National Grid to end lockout

BOSTON — There's growing pressure on National Grid to end its employee lockout.

State Senate President Karen Spilka and Minority Leader Bruce Tarr issued a statement Monday calling for the company and workers to continue negotiations.

Many of the locked out workers could lose unemployment benefits next month if an agreement isn't reached.

Last week, the house approved a bill that would force gas companies to cover employees' unemployment benefits during contract talks.

The state senate could take up the bill as soon as this week.

Cox Media Group