Local Blood Donation Workers Head To DC To Picket National Red Cross
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Some 65 striking Philadelphia-area Red Cross blood takers will be walking an informational picket line at American Red Cross headquarters in Washington, DC today.
The 65 blood takers, many of them RNs and members of the Health Professionals and Allied Employees Local 5031, boarded a bus at the Spring Garden blood donation center and headed to Washington to make their feelings on issues known, according to union spokesperson Judy Mercowski. Unionized blood takers at seven Philadelphia area blood donation centers have been on strike since May 24th.
Mercowski explains the reason for heading to Washington, "Because the National Red Cross is located in Washington and they are the ones who we believe are pulling the strings and wanting to have a nationally-administered healthcare program."
The union's message is simple, Mercowski says, "We want to be able to collectively bargain over healthcare. The American Red Cross wants us to give up those rights."
The union says Local Red Cross officials have refused to bargain on issues of health care, proper staffing, proper equipment and the proper screening of donors.
Reported by Al Novack, KYW Newsradio 1060
