Dozens of union workers gathered at Union Square Thursday to protest Con Edison’s proposed rate hikes.

The utility company is seeking state approval for an average electric bill increase of 11.4% and an average gas bill increase of 13.3%. It says the hikes are needed to maintain and upgrade its power infrastructure.

“The proposed rate hike is going to really have a disproportionate impact on our members who are already struggling to keep up with the high cost of rent, the cost of groceries going up,” Denis Johnston, executive vice president of 32BJ SEIU, which represents 85,000 service workers, said.

Earlier this month, Gov. Kathy Hochul asked the state Public Service Commission to reject the proposal.

“Con Edison is acutely aware of the issue of affordability, which is why last year we provided $300 million of bill discounts to low-income customers in our energy assistance programs. We will continue enrolling all eligible customers and advocate for policy changes to make utility bills more affordable,” a spokesperson for Con Ed said in a statement.

“The increased costs,” Johnston said, “are gonna force people to make tough decisions about whether or not they can buy food or whether they can get baby formula or diapers.”

Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jerry Nadler and Ritchie Torres are the latest elected officials calling for the rate hikes to be rejected.

If the Public Service Commission approves the hikes, the change would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.