Bal Harbour, FL
For many years, the American trade union movement has had a close relationship with the American Red Cross. Working women and men have donated money and blood, volunteered for American Red Cross activities across the country, and played a major role in disaster relief. The AFL-CIO has strongly supported the right of employees of the American Red Cross and other charitable agencies to union representation.
During the massive reorganization and centralization of the Red Cross's Blood Service in the last two years, that right has been respected in many parts of the country. But in other areas, it has been jeopardized.
One area where problems have arisen is Cleveland. The local Red Cross seeks to transfer job responsibilities that now belong to members of its bargaining unit -- District 1199-OH of the Service Employees International Union -- to personnel who have no union representation. If that transfer were to take place, it would pose a direct threat to employees represented by SEIU.
District 1199-OH has tried to resolve this dispute. It has sought and received assistance from the Cleveland Federation of Labor, the Ohio AFL-CIO, and the AFL-CIO Community Services Department. Federal mediation is already underway. The next meetings between union and management are scheduled for March.
The American Red Cross should make certain that the Blood Service reorganization does not jeopardize the work duties of its unionized employees in Cleveland or any other area. Indeed, if the Cleveland dispute is not equitably resolved, it could set a bad precedent nationally for the erosion of workers' rights in an organization whose success depends in large part on the help and participation of working people.
In the past, the AFL-CIO has intervened on behalf of employees of the Red Cross and other charitable agencies. In this case, the Federation continues to give its full support to the SEIU members and all other trade unionists affected by reorganization of the Blood Service.
The AFL-CIO will use its good offices as part of its ongoing effort to reach a settlement in the Cleveland dispute -- a settlement ensuring that employee rights are respected and their job responsibilities are secure. In addition, the AFL-CIO will consult with its affiliated unions that have members affected by the Blood Service reorganization and will request another meeting with the American Red Cross management.