A Strike Notice to the American Red Cross

by: Ann Twomey, HPAE

Tue May 17, 2011 at 03:02:02 PM EDT

Every one is aware of the work the American Red Cross (ARC) does on disaster relief operations around the world. However, this is just a fraction of what they do. What many don't know is their blood services division brings in more than $2 billion a year, amounting to over two-thirds of their national revenue.

We appreciate the role they are playing in our communities and around the world, but that does not mean they get a free pass when it comes to ensuring the safety of blood donors and complying with fair employment practices. In fact, the real disaster is how the American Red Cross Blood Services Division treats its blood donation collection staff, and how that affects the safety of our blood donors and blood supply.

ARC's record speaks for itself. Since 1993, over $37 million in fines have been levied by the Food and Drug Administration because of significant violations of blood safety rules. As recently as last summer $16 million in fines were paid to the FDA - money HPAE believes would be better spent on safe staffing and other improved safety practices. Red Cross has also been cited over and over for labor law violations, violating terms of their collective bargaining agreements with many of the 3000 blood service workers across the country.

Sign our community pledge at HPAE.org to send a message to the American Red Cross that you won't stand for their double cross. Our union - specifically Local 5103 representing the Registered Nurses and Donor Collection Assistants - is currently in contract negotiations with Red Cross management. These are nurses and donor collection staff on the frontlines of blood safety efforts, ensuring donors are protected working long hours at understaffed donor sites.

On May 13th we issued a ten-day strike notice to management to take a stand on behalf of the safety of our donors, our members and the blood supply.

Ann Twomey, HPAE :: A Strike Notice to the American Red Cross

HPAE will not allow the status quo to continue. We can't stand by as the American Red Cross puts donors and their employees in jeopardy by not reforming their current practices. In these current contract negotiations, we're fighting to make sure Red Cross employees are fully staffed at blood donor sites and are on schedules that prevent fatigue, protect donors, and reduce the risk of errors.

Between chronic safety violations, inadequate training, understaffing at blood drives, and repeated labor law violations, our members report conditions that they believe are unsafe for donors and for themselves at American Red Cross sites across New Jersey and Philadelphia. We are going to continue to fight for a fair contract that will protect our nurses and donor collection assistants and make sure Red Cross blood sites are as safe as possible.

This fight isn't just happening here in New Jersey. The National Labor Relations Board has found that the Red Cross is guilty of violating labor laws. All across the country ARC is being assailed for its poor treatment of its employees and poor safety record. Nationally, there are more than two dozen expired contracts or labor disputes between unions and the Red Cross with scores of unfair labor practice charges pending in a number of states.

We will continue negotiating with ARC, in good faith, to avert a strike. But we will also make sure donors and workers alike are protected. We need to send a loud message that we stand together for worker's rights and safe blood donation procedures. Please support the workers who do their best to keep blood donors and the blood supply safe. Go to www.HPAE.org/redcross to find out how to help.