"In my mind," he said, "the settlement we have just reached represents an important structure for the bargaining that's going to follow."

But the plaintiffs said yesterday that the settlement represented a significant success for the neighborhood.

The $150 million settlement apparently represents a compromise between the Justice Department and the company.

The out-of-court settlement represents an achievement of sorts for the Government.

The settlement represents Abbott's effort to put years of litigation over baby formula behind it.

The settlement represented the largest yet for both trash haulers.

Agency officials say the settlements represent 41 percent of the industry, with negotiations under way that would reach 60 percent by early next year.

Officials in the Mayor's office insisted last night that the settlement represented no change in its plans.

Other experts in employment law said the proposed settlement represented a significant change for the securities industry.

You also say that the "settlement represents an extraordinary gift to half a million potential refugees."