As the threat of a strike by London’s inside workers hangs over city hall, an e-mail obtained by CTV News sheds light on last week’s strike vote.

The president of CUPE Local 101 is accusing the city's negotiating team of being "disrespectful and completely unproductive."

Shelly Navarroli also challenges comments made by Deputy Mayor Paul Hubert in a CTV News story.

Last Friday, while responding to the strike vote, Hubert said: “We look forward to continuing to bargain and to come to a satisfactory agreement.”

But the obtained e-mail questions that commitment. Navarroli referred to Hubert’s comments Tuesday in telling city council and the city manager that they don’t perceive this as the message the corporation delivered to their negotiating committee." 

She accuses city hall's negotiating team of "delay and unavailability" and arriving "in excess of an hour" late.

It’s conduct CUPE describes as "disrespectful and completely unproductive."

Only six negotiating sessions have been held since October 6.

Reached by telephone Wednesday, Navarroli stands behind her e-mail.

“Continuously the employer is late for our meetings, not prepared. It shows a lack of respect not only for our bargaining committee, but for our membership.” 

Even after repeated questions, Mayor Matt Brown wouldn't say if the union's concerns are real.

“Negotiations are under way. It’s just not appropriate for me to comment. These talks need to continue.”

Without a contract since Dec. 3, the city's 760 inside workers overwhelmingly endorsed strike action last Thursday, though no deadline has been set.

That could disrupt municipal services including social services, building inspections, business and marriage licensing, bylaw enforcement and parks and recreation.

The e-mail goes on to provide new details about the impasse at the bargaining table. CUPE contends it’s not a single issue, but many that are unresolved after the city's last contract offer March 5, such as compensation and quality of working life.

“Our members were shocked to see that this offer even contains a proposal to remove several members from the union,” Navarroli says in the e-mail.

For now, she accepts both the mayor and deputy mayor at their word that negotiations will be productive.

Both sides expect to sit down at the bargaining table again next month.