Cheney council adopts one-year union contract

The Cheney City Council has approved a new contract for the city’s union employees, but only for one year.

City Administrator Mark Schuller told the council at its Nov. 22 meeting that the reason for the shorter time period, rather than the typical three to four year contracts of the past, boils down to medical benefits. Mainly what will happen with the federal Affordable Care Act now that Republicans, who have tried to repeal the law known as Obamacare, hold both chambers of Congress and the White House.

In an email, Schuller said the city’s current medical plans through the Association of Wa...