The long, winding road to consensus

June 30, 1996: The officers' 1992 contract officially expires.

Oct. 23, 1997: After over a year of stalled talks, the main economic issues still have yet to be brought up. About 60 demands remain on the table. The YPBA files its first of four complaints with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), this one over a Yale-proposed clause that would hold union leaders responsible for job actions such as strikes. The NLRB rejects the complaint a week later.

Nov. 25, 1997: Yale makes its first formal offers for new pension and disability plans.

Dec. 6, 1997: To protest the stalled negotiations, officers issue $4,000 in traffic and parking violations in a one-night "ticket blitz."

Dec. 11, 1997: Yale and YPBA negotiators check into the Holiday Inn for a "marathon" bargaining session, determined to remain until a contract is settled. The next day, the union walks out on the negotiations.

Jan. 1998: YPBA Vice President Andrew Mathews quits his job with the Yale Police, citing extreme frustration with the University and the negotiation process.

Feb. 14, 1998: Twenty officers--95 percent of the scheduled force for the day--call in sick as an unofficial warning to the University. Yale refuses to pay absent officers for their day off unless they can prove they were actually ill.

Apr. 21, 1998: The union requests binding arbitration. Yale refuses.

May 12, 1998: The two sides meet again at the Holiday Inn, hoping to finalize a contract. A memorandum of agreement (MOA) is drafted but does not address all issues.

May 1998: The YPBA asks New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, Jr., to step in and mediate the dispute. He agrees.

Oct. 5, 1998: The YPBA alerts Yale of its intent to strike on Oct. 16. It rescinds the threat on Oct. 8.

Oct. 9, 1998: In response to a September union proposal, Yale proposes a breakthrough contract that settles the pension issue and offers enhanced "in the line of duty" long- term disability benefits. The proposal also reduces the salary schedule percentages and signing bonus the union had suggested.

Nov. 24, 1998: The sides meet together with DeStefano and agree on a final MOA.

Dec. 2, 1998: The YPBA votes 40-7 to accept the new contract which is retroactive to 1996. The new contract will expire on June 30, 2002.

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