Red Cross Workers Vote for ‘90’ Day Cooling Off Period: Return to Work and Resume Bargaining

After a three-week strike, Red Cross workers agreed today to a ‘90’ day cooling off period and will return to work beginning Thursday, June 16, under an agreement with Red Cross that the 250 blood service workers will maintain their current contract terms and protections while negotiations resume .

The strike began on May 24 after negotiations failed to produce a settlement that the union members believed would ensure safety conditions for workers and donors. Red Cross had also demanded that workers waive their collective bargaining rights over health care coverage before addressing the staffing, scheduling and training issues raised by the union members.

Both the union, the Health Professionals and Allied Employees, and Red Cross met with a federal mediator on Monday to hammer out an agreement covering a ‘90’ day cooling off period. Seven bargaining sessions have already been scheduled through July.

“This will work if Red Cross bargains fairly over the next 90 days to produce a fair settlement that protects workers’ rights while ensuring safe working conditions and safety for donors and the blood supply,” said Renee Conyers, co-president of HPAE local 5103. “We are glad that we will be able to return to our mission of providing a safe and adequate blood supply to our NJ and Philadelphia communities.”

The union members expressed their determination to continue letting the public know about their safety concerns, and are participating in a national coalition of Red Cross workers in a campaign to “Keep the Blood Supply Safe”.

Throughout the strike, community and labor leaders and elected officials appeared on the picket line supporting the workers, and urging the resumption of bargaining. On Thursday, the Philadelphia City Council will hear a resolution introduced by Councilman James Kenney urging the resumption of serious negotiations.

This return to work is also due to the efforts of community and labor leaders ,and our elected officials and in particular, the efforts of Congressman Robert Brady in urging Red Cross back to the table and local officials like James Kenney,” said Ann Twomey, president of the 12,000 HPAE.