edited iCloud contacts won't update

I am syncing with iPhone contacts through iCloud.  eM Client downloaded all iCloud contacts fine, but every time I edit a contact with eM Client, I receive the following error:
'Failed to upload item “Smith, JIm”
You may choose to delete item …"
and given choice to delete or ignore the item.

new items added in em Client update to contacts, but edits in em client won’t work
I can edit or add new contacts on iPhone and they update to EM client

I’ve had it for a year and have always had the problem.