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So Bloomberg's been getting crap for saying during the transit strike that union leaders were behaving "thuggishly." But perhaps no more. Reports today's Newsday:

Two African-American civil service leaders said Monday they do not consider it racist that Mayor Michael Bloomberg said top officials of the striking union acted "thuggishly."

Which is generous of them. Especially when you consider that holding a city hostage for three days so that your future members can retire at 55 rather than 62 is sort of the textbook definition of being a thug.

We're just saying.

Black Leaders Say Mayor's Strike Language Still Burns [Newsday]