Labor leader will miss slugging it out with mayors

Under Street's administration, however, Phil Goldsmith, his managing director from 2003 to '05, "never got angry at Tom. I never sensed anything personal. The good ones are like that."

Cronin says his worst relationship with a sitting mayor was with Rendell "because of what I perceived as total disrespect for city workers. . . . He got elected on our backs." Rendell could not be reached for comment.

The next mayor (presumedly Democrat Michael Nutter) will have the pleasure of negotiating new four-year deals for the four city unions, beginning in January. The current contract expires June 30.

The dance rarely changes: The unions want benefits; the city wants givebacks. Voices are raised; insults are traded. Both sides are unhappy. The curtain closes.

The burning question is this: How did Cronin manage to hold onto the reins for almost three decades amid all that drama?

"Good drugs," he says with a laugh. "And the ability to take a punch."