Unionized Red Cross workers in Connecticut have rejected the latest and final contract offer from the nonprofit’s management, moving them a step closer to a potential strike.
Members of AFSCME Local 3145, which represents 215 front-line blood collection workers at the Connecticut Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross, voted 153-14 to reject the management proposal during a May 2 membership meeting in Farmington, the union said.
The workers also voted 152-14 to authorize a strike over the employer’s unfair labor practices, the union said. The National Labor Relations Board has issued four complaints against the Connecticut Blood Services Region.
Workers are now preparing to potentially join a national strike.
AFSCME Local 3145 members have worked without a contract for more than a year. On March 28 the workers voted 161-13 to authorize their negotiating team to go on strike in support of a national coalition of unionized Red Cross employees.
The local Red Cross had no immediate comment.
