heh.

[t byfield]

il duce giuliani, always in the vanguard when it comes to
copping credit for things regressive and repressive, here
seems rather eager to distance himself from the oucome of
the MTA negotiations:

     At a morning news conference, Mr. Giuliani praised the union

     leaders for deciding not to strike, but he took pains to

     argue that the contract agreement would have no influence on

     the city's labor negotiations. 

     

     "It's not our settlement," Mr. Giuliani said. "The Transit

     Authority is a state agency, not a city agency." 
<...>

     "The overall percentages would be much too high for the city

     and it would cause significant deficits that would add to a

     deficit the city already has in out years," he said.

     "Whatever pattern is set is one for the state to have to

     deal with. It has nothing to do with us." 

famous last words.

cheers,
t