Red Cross Collection Specialists and Technicians Vote for Teamsters in Atlanta

By , on December 21st, 2010

A majority of the employees who work as Red Cross collection specialists and technicians in Atlanta have voted to join the Teamsters Union.  This will be the first time a union will represent the 51 workers employed at seven sites throughout Atlanta.

“We had many strong supporters here for Teamster representation.” said Karen Moore, a five-year collection specialist for Red Cross. “It was really good to see everyone so happy after the vote.” Friday’s vote was 36-14.

This union’s organizing victory marks the third such victory in the south in the last three months. In early and mid-October, employees in Charlotte and Wilmington, North Carolina also voted for Teamster representation.

“All of these Red Cross employees demonstrated their unity with the Teamsters by wearing buttons and signing petitions,” said Ben Speight, organizer for Teamsters Local 728 in Atlanta.

“This victory came despite management hiring a very anti-union law firm that conducted numerous captive-audience meetings. Red Cross even promised they would give a flat-screen TV away to the first person who could answer the most questions correctly on an anti-union questionnaire.”

Teamsters Local 728 and the Atlanta Red Cross workers are looking forward to beginning negotiations for a strong Teamster

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December 21st, 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , | Category: Campaigns, Unions | Comments are closed

Student Labor Week of Action! March 28-April 4

By , on March 19th, 2010

STUDENTS & WORKERS UNITE!

From March 28 to April 4, students and workers across the country are uniting on campuses and communities across the country to fight for ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION & GOOD, SUSTAINABLE JOBS.

Visit www.studentlabor.org to learn more.  You can sign up, find an action near you, or download an organizing kit.

Want to participate, but not sure what to plan? 

Justice at American Red Cross Day of Action – March 31st, 2010

Donor safety at risk

  • Red Cross is the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States, controlling more than 40 percent of the U.S. blood supply.
  • Campus blood drives are big business for Red Cross. In 2009, it had $2.2 billion in revenues from its blood operations.
  • While giving blood addresses a critical medical need, Red Cross has a horrendous track record of protecting the safety of the U.S. blood supply. Since 2003, Red Cross has been fined $21 million for repeated safety failures. Decisions on additional fines are currently under consideration at the FDA.

    • Working

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    March 19th, 2010 | Tags: , , , , , | Category: Everything Else | Comments are closed

    Tell Red Cross: Don’t Cut Corners with Our Blood Supply

    By , on October 8th, 2009

    The Missouri Jobs with Justice Workers’ Rights Board released a report today on the steps of the Red Cross Blood Services headquarters in St. Louis that raises concerns about donor safety and the security of the nation’s blood supply at the country’s largest supplier of blood and blood products.

    Take Action Now! Send an email OR Sign our petition on twitter

    The investigative report, which also details the treatment of Red Cross employees and the impact this has on the organization’s work, underscores the need for a new round of reforms at the troubled organization.

    “Few national institutions have a prouder name or a more storied history than the American Red Cross,” writes Philip Dine, an award-winning labor reporter and the author of the report. “But many frontline blood workers see the Red Cross as an employer that is increasingly determined to cut expenses and increase revenues, even to the potential detriment of donor safety, employee wellbeing and the security of the nation’s blood supply.”

    Among the practices detailed in the report that jeopardize donors’ safety and the integrity of the blood supply detailed are:

  • Lengthy hours of service for front line

    Continue reading Tell Red Cross: Don’t Cut Corners with Our Blood Supply

    • October 8th, 2009 | Tags: , , , , | Category: Campaigns, Take Action, Unions | Comments are closed