American Red Cross workers in Connecticut officially went on strike Wednesday morning, an effort that will continue until Friday, officials said.
About 200 members of Local 3145 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees went on strike Wednesday morning, joining fellow Red Cross workers picketing in New York, West Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, and California.
Uniion members will be picketing outside the agency’s Farmington headquarters and its Norwalk office over what they call unfair labor practices during contract negotiations. The unions represent blood drive workers who say the bargaining issues include blood drive staffing practices needed to better protect donor and blood safety.
Union spokesman Larrry Dorman said the strike will be limited to three days and will end June 4 at midnight.
American Red Cross spokeswoman Stephanie Millian says financial difficulties have forced the agency to seek concessions. She says the strikes won’t interrupt services.
