Just one day into negotiations, and Red Cross unions have rescinded their plans to strike.
The strike was set to begin September 21st, but early Sunday the OPEIU Local 459 and Teamsters Local 580 told Red Cross officials they no longer planned the work stoppage.
“We are thankful to our union representatives for lifting their intents to strike,” said Sharon Jaksa, CEO of the Great Lakes Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. “We need all of our employees working together to do the job that we do, which is to maintain a healthy blood supply so hospital patients get the blood products they need when they need it.”
The Red Cross reports that in the past two weeks they have also reached tentative deals with four other Regions, two of which have already been ratified.
The Great Lakes Region Red Cross representatives will continue to talk with the local unions Monday and Tuesday to try to reach an agreement on pay and benefit packages. “We have all been asked to make concessions when it comes to health care benefits,” Jaksa said. “I’m hopeful that our Region’s union representatives will follow the lead of the other Regions across the country that have agreed to the terms of the proposals the Red Cross has offered.”
