Blood collection efforts at the Akron office for the American Red Cross have ground to a halt because of a Teamsters strike.
The Summit County office is among 19 Northeastern Ohio counties affected by a work stoppage by Teamsters Local 507 whose members collect blood for the nonprofit group.
Red Cross Spokeswoman Christy Sabaka said the organization has been unable to collect about 900 pints a day since the strike began early Tuesday morning. The stoppage included Valentine’s Day — the day of the Red Cross’ largest yearly blood drive.
“We have some nonunion staff who we can send out,” she said. “Obviously the longer the strike goes on, the larger the impact.”
The four-year contract between the Northern Ohio Blood Services Region and Teamsters expired in May. Talks broke off Feb. 9 and none have been scheduled.
The 250 union members are striking for a higher hourly wage, a less costly health plan and better working conditions. The union maintains its members must work long hours without breaks because too few workers are scheduled.
“There are serious problems at the Red Cross and potential donors need to be made aware of them,” Local 507 President Al Mixon said in a prepared statement. “We had hoped a 10-day strike notice was enough to get Red Cross management’s attention.”
On any given day, 20 to 25 mobile units collect blood in Northeastern Ohio and some chapter offices, such as the one in Akron, host blood drives.
Sabaka said potential donors should call 1-800-REDCROSS for updates on local drives that may be happening through the strike. She said no surgeries had been canceled to date and that the Cleveland office has the ability to bring in blood from other regions if the strike continues.
Carol Biliczky can be reached at 330-996-3729 or cbiliczky@thebeaconjournal.com.