Talks between the city of Boston and the police union that picketed the site of the Democratic National Convention hit a snag during a marathon negotiation, but a new mediator was brought on board and both sides were to return to the bargaining table Wednesday.
Talks began Sunday evening but adjourned shortly after 5 a.m. Monday without an agreement. Police Commissioner Kathleen O’Toole said the new mediator advised both sides not to talk about negotiations and asked them to return to the table Wednesday.
Mayor Thomas M. Menino had urged his negotiating team to stay at the bargaining table until reaching an agreement. The Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, which represents approximately 1,400 police officers, has been without a contract since June 2002.
The FleetCenter, the city’s sports arena, was set Tuesday to begin a $14 million renovation for the Democratic National Convention. Angry union members picketed the site, turning away cranes, concrete trucks and construction workers.
The picketing ended Friday after a federal judge sent marshals to the site to ensure that the union protesters were not blocking access by construction crews.
Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts is set to accept the Democratic Party’s nomination for president during the convention, scheduled July 26-29.