Red Cross, union reach agreement on contract

6/26/2012

 

The American Red Cross and the union representing Red Cross employees in northwest Ohio have reached agreement on a contract that ends a three-month strike.

Members of UFCW Local 75 went on strike March 27 after about four years without a contract.

The agreement covers a three-year term, but additional details were not immediately available. A Red Cross statement said the union represents 164 blood collection operation employees. The union said the number was 130.

"The new agreement is equitable and balanced in achieving the needs of both the Red Cross and UFCW members, and is sensitive to the financial pressures that health care providers are experiencing in today's economic environment," said Tracy Duncan, a spokesman for American Red Cross Blood Services.

The employees are expected to return to work beginning today.

Ms. Duncan said the organization was pleased with the agreement and officials are eager to resume community blood drives.

"We're hoping by mid to late July we'll be back up to full capacity as to the number of drives we'll be able to run," she said.

The number of blood drives held during the strike was significantly lower than normal, but Red Cross officials said the local blood supply did not suffer because they were able to bring in blood from other parts of the country.