Union Authorizes A Strike Against Red Cross In Central Connecticut

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.courant.com/news/breaking/hc-red-cross-strike-vote-0329.artmar29,0,3916314.story

By MARA LEE

March 29, 2010

After a year of unsuccessful negotiations, the majority of unionized Red Cross workers in central Connecticut voted Sunday night to authorize a strike.

The phlebotomists, licensed practical nurses, nurses, drivers and lab technicians are represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, and they have been working without a contract for a year.

The vote doesn't mean there will be a strike — union President Christine Holschlag said she hopes to avoid one — but it's a way for the union to bring more pressure on the nonprofit organization.

Holschlag said one of the issues is that the Red Cross no longer requires registered nurses to supervise each blood drive, as they once did, and as is laid out in the contract. She said that nurses have more clout, and can bring attention to substandard conditions at mobile sites.

Red Cross spokeswoman Donna Morrissey said that blood collection and supply is "safer than ever before," and that it's not necessary to have a nurse at every donor drive to ensure that regulations are met.

Phlebotomists make about $16 an hour to start, but Holschlag said wages aren't the sticking issue.

FULL story and video at link.