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Unions press for contract funding, workplace improvements and retention in FY26 budget hearings
Summary
AFSCME Local 3999 and the Santa Fe firefighters union told the Finance Committee on April 24 that collective bargaining funding, workplace safety improvements and recruitment/retention remain top priorities as the city finalizes its FY26 budget.
Representatives from AFSCME Local 3999 and Santa Fe Firefighters Local 2059 addressed the Finance Committee on April 24, urging the city to fund a new collective bargaining agreement, improve working conditions for environmental services staff and continue investments that helped recruit and retain first responders.
Louis Damelo, AFSCME Local 3999, told the committee the union represents more than half of the city workforce and said the union’s contract is in arbitration. "Our first ask is funding AFSCME's new collective bargaining agreement with the city of Santa Fe," Damelo said, adding that the city will need to budget for whatever the arbitrator determines. He also asked for one‑time funding for supplemental air‑conditioning units in environmental services trucks after members reported cabin temperatures above safe comfort levels.
Clinton Peterson, AFSCME secretary‑treasurer and member of the negotiating committee, told the committee vacancies and rising housing costs are squeezing workers: "Our workers are simply being priced out of the housing market," he said, and requested a dedicated budget line to fund future collective bargaining outcomes.
Santa Fe Firefighters Local 2059 President Charles Gonzales briefed the committee on recruitment and retention gains tied to recent class‑and‑comp investments. Gonzales said the department received the largest applicant pool in several years and credited parity increases with helping retain personnel. He asked for continued financial transparency in negotiations and for investment in support services that had not grown in recent budgets.
Committee response: Members thanked union representatives for testimony and noted the budget includes a 3 percent across‑the‑board proposal and multi‑year class‑and‑comp tranches. Several councilors acknowledged ongoing vacancy pressures across city departments and said they expect the budget process to weigh employee compensation alongside other priorities.
Ending: Union leaders said they would continue negotiations with the city and monitor the budget hearings; members asked the committee to consider AFSCME’s request that the budget include a perennial line item to cover future bargaining outcomes.
