Union talks may go to high court

DAVENPORT – A lawsuit by the Lincoln County Commissioners to ensure that negotiations with public employee labor unions are open to the public has received a ruling from the state appeals court. The decision sets the case to potentially be considered by the Washington State Supreme Court.

In the lawsuit, which dates back to 2019, the Lincoln County Commissioners asked the courts to ensure that negotiations with public employee unions, like Teamsters 690 that represents the county’s law enforcement employees, not be allowed to have closed-door negotiations with the county.

“This case is about t...