More than six years after Red Cross workers voted to form their union with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31, Red Cross management remains in violation of federal labor law and refuses to agree to a fair union contract. To raise awareness and garner public support in their fight for fairness, Red Cross employees will march this Sunday afternoon from the Peoria Labor Temple to Red Cross headquarters, where they will hold an informational picket.

“These workers save lives every day, collecting blood and serving their community, but Red Cross management treats them with utter disrespect,” AFSCME Council 31 staff representative Tim LaVelle said. “Workers are fed up with management’s stalling, foot-dragging and failure to follow the law.”

WHAT: March from Peoria Labor Temple to Red Cross headquarters; informational picket of Red Cross
WHO: Red Cross employees, other union members and community supporters
WHERE: Meet at Peoria Labor Temple (400 NE Jefferson Ave.), march to Red Cross headquarters (405 W John Gwynn Jr. Ave.)
WHEN: Sunday, July 28; march begins at 2:30 p.m., picket to follow

Although workers voted for AFSCME representation in a June 2007 union election, Red Cross management kept ballots from being counted until September 2010, then refused to recognize the union until January 2011. Bargaining for a contract began soon thereafter, but in November 2011, the National Labor Relations Board found Red Cross had broken the law by unilaterally changing workers’ wages, benefits, hours and working conditions. Red Cross has refused to comply with the ruling and employees still have no contract.

“Collecting blood requires these workers to work irregular hours, any day of the week, without regular days off, and requires them to follow strict federal safety guidelines,” AFSCME’s LaVelle said. “Yet Red Cross refuses to give these workers the respect and fair treatment they deserve. Enough is enough.”