Paul Baszkiewicz is ready for retirement.

He has worked for National Grid for nearly three decades and clocked roughly 1,200 hours overtime with the company last year. Now, he says, he is looking forward to spending time with his wife, who suffers from multiple myeloma cancer: "I thought maybe there's a good chance she could be around a long time," Baszkiewicz says, citing the "miracle drug" chemo pill she takes each week.

But a lockout by National Grid changed all of that last week. Baszkiewicz, 61, and his wife scrambled to find health coverage to pay for that $8,300-a-month "miracle drug" after National Grid announced they were eliminating all gas workers' health insurance starting July 1.

"I've been through enough suffering, and to have something like this happen," Baszkiewicz says. "Then having the gas company lock me out when I'm a year away from retiring... they don't help the matter."

The company has said it eliminated health insurance for more than 1,200 gas workers because of failed contract negotiations: "During the time they are not working on our property or for our customers, the locals are ineligible for compensation and benefits from the company," National Grid said in a statement.

A company spokesperson added that they seek to standardize coverage. "We are proud of the generous wages and benefits that we provide to our employees in Massachusetts. We are also aware that those costs are ultimately passed on to our ratepayers, so they must be reasonable and consistent with the marketplace. Currently, employees in these two unions, unlike the overwhelming majority of our unionized employees in Massachusetts and other states, enjoy health insurance plans with no deductibles or coinsurance."

The company locked out its unionized gas workers on midnight of June 24 after the parties failed to agree on contract issues concerning pensions, health care, retirement and more.

Spokespeople for Steel unions Local 12003 and Local 12012 said the loss of health insurance puts workers like Baszkiewicz, in a precarious position.

Baszkiewicz was prepared to opt into National Grid's health insurance plan and pay the full $2,500 a month during the lockout. But with the help of a relative, the couple was able to secure his wife's health insurance through the law firm where she works as a book keeper. Her insurance does not cover Baszkiewicz, though.

The 29-year National Grid veteran -- who was on board through the company's 1993 lockout that lasted nearly six months -- said he is now relying on the steel worker union's insurance, which only covers emergencies, not preventative care. He said he would avoid doctor visits during the lockout because he is unsure how much an appointment could cost.

"I've worked hard all my life," said Baszkiewicz, who said he prioritizes his family above all else. "You see the tunnel at the end of the road and knowing a loved one comes down with something... it makes changes to your life."

Health care is one of several contentious issues that arose during the failed contract negotiations. According to union spokespeople, National Grid's proposed contract would change workers' health insurance plans so that the gas workers pay more for their coverage through higher deductibles and co-payments for prescriptions.

According to Local 12012 President John Buonopane, workers received a letter from National Grid dated June 25--the day the lockout first took effect -- that said certain benefits would be ended at the end of the month, including health insurance.

"Now people are out there trying to find health care, people that have serious issues," Buonopane told MassLive, adding that the union is now working with a group trying to find people individual health care. Buonopane called National Grid's actions "shameful."

Baszkiewicz echoed the union president's sentiments: "Working for this company... you're just a number," he said, adding the company has "no kind of loyalty."

Editor's note: This article has been updated to include comment from National Grid.