By MATT APUZZO
Associated Press Writer
July 25, 2004, 12:52 PM EDT
BOSTON -- Boston firefighters reached a contract agreement Sunday with the city after a marathon session of negotiations, averting union picketing at delegation welcoming parties for the Democratic National Convention.
The firefighters were the last big city union left without a contract. In the days leading up to the convention on Monday, there had been concerns that union strife might interfere with the four-day event.
"We have labor peace in Boston at this hour," said Mayor Thomas Menino. "There's a climax to every story. This was the time to end this chapter."
The convention begins Monday, but delegates began descending on Boston over the weekend. Scores of welcoming parties were planned throughout the city Sunday.
http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-cvn-democratic-convention-unions,0,3949.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines