American Red Cross - Press Releases

Red Cross Workers Vote Unanimously to Ratify New Contract: Strike Avoided 

“We fought hard,” said union president Renee Conyers, “to win a contract that protected current working conditions, and improve the policies that improved scheduling and safety for workers and donors – and we won a voice in changes to our health coverage.”

A strike scheduled for Friday September 16 of 250 American Red Cross workers was averted after the union negotiating committee presented a tentative agreement to members for a ratification vote on Thursday.

Tentative agreement between HPAE and Red Cross: Ratification Vote on Thursday 

Blood service workers represented by the Health Professionals and Allied Employees met into the evening on Wednesday, September 14, with Red Cross representatives in a final attempt to reach an agreement for a new collective bargaining agreement, against a strike deadline of Friday morning.

Contract talks originally broke down in May, and a 3-week strike by the 250 nurses and technicians ended in June with a 90-day cooling off period. Contract talks were extended again earlier this month after Hurricane Irene created a crisis and concern over a blood shortage.

Red Cross Workers Vote for 90 Day Cooling Off Period 

June 15, 2011

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.

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 .

HPAE and Red Cross Resume Negotiations 

HPAE Union Workers, Red Cross Resume Negotiations

Statement of Ann Twomey, President, Health Professionals and Allied Employees

“The blood service workers of Red Cross went out on strike on May 24, after long negotiations failed to produce a settlement that we believe would have ensured safe conditions for workers and donors – as well as the protection of our collective bargaining rights.

The federal mediator called together both parties for a negotiating session held on June 13, for the first time since the strike began. It began at 2 pm and concluded at midnight.