Lansing Red Cross Workers Strike to Protest Unfair Labor Practices

Biomedical Services 'Bad Faith' Under Investigation

LANSING, Mich., June 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Teamsters Local 580 American Red Cross workers in Lansing joined seven Red Cross unions across the country in a strike to protest unfair labor practices, including benefits changes and "bad faith" bargaining over new employment contracts.

Workers in Lansing have been without a collective bargaining agreement for more than a year, despite union representatives meeting with Red Cross executives regularly.

"The American Red Cross has failed to negotiate over changes to pension and health care plans," said Mike Parker, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 580. "Officials also forced our members to work without a contract for over a year. Red Cross needs to bargain fairly and respect its workers."  

In solidarity with seven other unions across the country, Local 580 members carried signs in front of Lansing's Red Cross offices that read: "Red Cross Workers on Strike - Unfair Labor Practices."  

On June 21, Teamster representatives will appear before an administrative law judge who is hearing the unfair labor practice charges levied against Red Cross by the union on behalf of the 42 employees it represents.

SOURCE Teamsters Local 580