Relations between the city and its striking workers took a turn for the worse this afternoon when union leaders gathered at a Scarborough hotel to lambaste Mayor David Miller for taking negotiations public.

Earlier in the day, the mayor released to the media a detailed settlement offer to end the city-wide strike, now in its 18th day. The Canadian Union of Public Employees says the act crossed the line when it comes to honest negotiating.

Speaking to members of the press at the Delta East Toronto, the president of CUPE, Local 79 representing the city’s indoor employees said that actions by the mayor had set back labour relations for decades.

“We’re shocked that the city has circumvented the bargaining process,” Ann Dembinsky said. “It’s unfortunate that the mayor wants to bargain in the media.”

Mark Ferguson, representing Local 416, which is made up of the city’s outdoor workers, said that the city’s decisions to publicly disclose its offer represents the most recent example of the unwillingness of management to negotiate fairly and behind closed doors.

“The city has chosen to show an absolute disrespect towards its employees throughout the bargaining process,” he said. “We will review their proposals but we will not negotiate in the media.”

Dembinsky and Ferguson maintained that the unions remain committed to prolonging the strike as long as it takes in order to receive a fair deal.

“Our members’ resolve remains strong,” Ferguson said. “They are angrier than they have ever been.”

Dembinsky said she had the support of “one hundred per cent” of her membership and dismissed claims that some part-time workers had crossed picket lines.

Ferguson conceded that the city had made important concessions on some major points of contention but stressed that a “chasm” remains between management and the workers.

Both unions promised to present counter-proposals to the city by this weekend.