Milwaukee, WITwo hundred five nurses and technicians employed by the American Red Cross and represented by AFSCME Local 3145 were forced to strike in Connecticut on May 1 because of unreasonable positions the American Red Cross took in negotiations for a renewed collective bargaining agreement. Local unions affiliated with at least 10 AFL-CIO international unions have collective bargaining relationships with American Red Cross blood regions. Anti-worker, anti-union conduct by the American Red Cross has become a disturbing trend. Regrettably, American Red Cross blood regions have provoked strikes and damaged formerly harmonious labor relationships.
Although the American Red Cross insists that its blood regions determine negotiating policies, published news articles indicate that the national American Red Cross is making available blood supplies donated elsewhere for transfer to Connecticut. Much of the blood supply is produced by members of the union movement through blood drives arranged or sponsored by affiliates.
The AFL-CIO fully supports the members of AFSCME Local 3145 who are on strike in Connecticut and calls on the national American Red Cross to cease the transfer to Connecticut of blood from national inventories or other centers around the country. Central labor council leaders are encouraged to arrange meetings with Red Cross officials in their areas to request assurances that blood will not be sent to the struck facility in Connecticut. We urge the American Red Cross to intervene in this dispute by encouraging the center in Connecticut to settle the dispute by negotiating in good faith for an equitable contract. The AFL-CIO will also attempt to change the general anti-union stance of the American Red Cross by appointing a committee to meet with the American Red Cross and make clear that its attitudes and conduct are absolutely unacceptable to the American union movement.