His rivals declined to put a number on the table, saying it would complicate the collective-bargaining process.

But, he added, only incremental improvements are possible in a collective-bargaining process.

In conclusion, the board stated that "there is a significant risk, even a strong likelihood, that the collective-bargaining process will be detrimental to the educational process."

"They've wasted a lot of time trying to make it political, while to us, this is simply a collective-bargaining process between a trade union and an employer."

It also was opposed by a number of other labor unions, which depicted the bill as an abrogation of the collective-bargaining process.

We believe very much in the collective-bargaining process.

The bill was part of a package of legislation designed by the P.B.A. to bypass the collective-bargaining process.

Mr. Clinton reportedly made his decision with some reluctance because he did not wish to intervene in the private collective-bargaining process.

He described it as "significant movement and a great step forward to bring a fair conclusion to the collective-bargaining process."

Mr. Pataki has vetoed seven proposals on police issues this year, all aimed at doing an end run around the city's collective-bargaining process.