Council defers labor contract

CHENEY – The debate over whether Juneteenth should be recognized as a city holiday here continues, as the City Council unanimously voted to defer a decision on Resolution F-221 during their Jan. 23 meeting.

Resolution F-221, which addresses the labor agreement for 2024. It governs paid holidays, wages and benefits.

The delay comes after a comment by Corrina Donnerberg, who expressed disappointment over Juneteenth not being a city holiday.

She highlighted the significance of paid time off in maintaining a healthy work-life balance as she questioned, “What does the city get in exchange for increased time off?”

She alleged that employees making $40,000, $50,000 or even $60,000 can’t raise a family on those wages.

City Manager Mark Schuller said the decision to go back to the bargaining table, specifically on the matter of Juneteenth, was in response to the preference of employees for two floating holidays over Juneteenth.

“They were of the opinion that they would rather have two floating holidays and give up on Juneteenth,” Schuller said, clarifing that language addressing this concern was added to the contract during negotiations.

The discussion did not end there.

Councilwoman Jacquelyn Belock noted Juneteenth is a federal holiday and suggested reconsideration.

Councilman Paul Schmidt said he would not support a contract that excludes Juneteenth, warning such a decision could have repercussions.

Schmidt proposed an alternative approach, reiterating that Juneteenth could be added to the list of holidays, and a floating holiday could be earned by meeting wellness program requirements.

This sparked a debate on the feasibility of such a proposal.

“If we have a wellness program, it benefits us,” said Schmidt, who then explained the requirements to become a so-called “well city” include having a certain number of employees sign up for a wellness program. If the requirements are met, the city could get discounted health insurance.

“It’s a struggle to get employees to be well employees,” Schuller said.

He explained that hitting the quota for ‘well employees’ would take constant reminders to employees to sign up.

The motion to defer Resolution F-221 passed unanimously, indicating that the city council has chosen to delay the decision on the inclusion of Juneteenth in the 2024 Labor Agreement.