Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Con Ed officials announced today that the lockout had ended in the face of an impending storm set to hit the downstate region, as well as the Southern Tier.

In a rare New York City press conference in the governor’s conference room, Cuomo said it was nasty weather in the forecast that enabled an agreement to end the lockout. But Con Ed management and labor also praised Cuomo repeatedly for stepping in to the issue.

Previously Cuomo and Con Ed had announced a temporary resolution to the lockout in the wake of the storm.

Cuomo had up until yesterday remained above the fray, saying that as governor he couldn’t do much to force the utility to resolve the labor dispute (though it left some scratching their heads why a popular politician like Cuomo couldn’t work personally to resolve the matter0.

What change, he said this afternoon, was the storm.

“Because of the storm, people reacted in the best interest of the city, best interest of the state,” Cuomo said.

Either way, it is another example of Cuomo’s very good timing and luck with events, finding openings and using them to resolve issues expeditiously.

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