Candidates say city workers should be a priority as ASME Local 369 contract remains unsettled

Ward 2 candidates told the League of Women Voters forum they would prioritize city workers as the ASME Local 369 bargaining unit remains without a contract.

Moderator noted many union members had gone nearly 30 months without a raise and asked how candidates would prioritize employee compensation among other spending commitments.

Tisha Montigu said she would make city workers "a high priority" and stressed that competitive wages, benefits and safe conditions are needed to attract and retain staff. "Investing in our workforce is ultimately an investment in the quality of services that are provided to our residents," she said.

Sandy Aldrich said she had not followed the negotiations deeply but affirmed that city council has been supportive of negotiating a new contract and described the workers as critical infrastructure: "They're critical assets to our city...I'm confident that city council...will be sitting in November. Hopefully it will get resolved soon." Neither candidate proposed specific salary figures at the forum; both framed compensation as a budget priority that must be balanced with other commitments.

The forum did not produce a contract or an official direction; both candidates urged a timely bargaining resolution if elected.