UPDATED: CL&P workers rally over staffing levels

Hartford — More than 150 Connecticut Light & Power's unionized linemen say staffing levels at the electric utility are inadequate and are putting workers at risk.

The union, which has been without a contract since June, says the utility has about 400 linemen, fewer than it had last October when a snow storm left tens of thousands of customers without power for days.

Tricia Taskey Modifica, a spokeswoman for the utility, says staffing levels are on par with other utilities across the nation, and says hundreds of crews are brought in from out of state when an emergency strikes.

The linemen held a noontime rally on Monday at the state Capitol. Some top Democratic politicians, including House Majority Leader Brendan Sharkey and Senate President Donald Williams, voiced support for the workers.