I don't understand US laws nearly enough to form an informed opinion, but it just seems odd that a city council would or should play a role in an employment dispute.
People like this that don't bat an eye to dehumanize, shouldn't be anyone's elected representatives.
There was nothing “dehumanizing” in her comment. She said she feels bad for the people who were laid off, but it is not the role of a city council to intervene in these kind of disputes. It is a perfectly valid position.