TOLEDO -- Workers within the regional American Red Cross blood collection division have been on strike since late March. The union representing the workers and ARC management do not have any dates set to resume negotiations, so the strike could go on for an extended period of time.
"We gave the union a contract offer in March that they turned down and they have said they are prepared to hold out indefinitely," said Ian Thigpen, spokesman for ARC in Toledo.
The main source of contention appears to be health care. Workers say the contract offer made by the American Red Cross would require them to pay a health care deductible of $5500 for a single person and $11,000 for a family.
"I think that American Red Cross needs to come back to the table, because we want to go back to work; I have family that need blood, that are in the hospital right now," said Diane Haines, a blood collector for 18 years.
On Tuesday, the striking workers will hold a rally at One Government Center. Democratic Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur is expected to attend.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWNWO