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Red Cross Lays Off 22; Union Claims Workers Being Punished
FARMINGTON, Nov 07, 2009 (The Hartford Courant - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
A drop in blood donations has led to the layoffs of 22 employees at the American Red Cross, the organization announced Friday.
"I can tell you that it's a very sad day here," said Donna M. Morrissey, director of communications. "Our hearts go out to our colleagues."
The nonprofit organization bases the size of its staff on how much blood is collected, tested and processed, Morrissey said. The layoffs reduce the number of staff members in the Connecticut Blood Services Region from 400 to 378. More layoffs may be necessary if collections continue to significantly decline, she said.
A few recent events contributed to the drop in donations, Morrissey said. One is the discontinuation of the Red Cross' Double Red Cell Program, during which two units of red blood cells are collected from a single donor. Another program involving platelet collection was also cut back.
The Red Cross made the changes after AFSCME 3145 contacted the state Department of Public Health and expressed concern about non-licensed staff members working at collection sites, Morrissey said. The Red Cross is seeking an exception to the relevant state law, she said, which it says is "outdated."
The union also has discouraged people from donating blood, Morrissey said.
Larry Dorman, an AFSCME spokesman, said the union -- which is in contract talks with the Red Cross -- did not discourage blood donations. Nineteen union members were among the people laid off, he said.
"They're punishing our workers for having done the right thing" by pointing out safety violations in the Double Red Cell Program, he said.
To make up for the shortfall, the Red Cross will rely on blood brought in from other states, Morrissey said.
The Red Cross is asking eligible donors to call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit www.givelife.org.
To see more of The Hartford Courant, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to
http://www.courant.com/. Copyright (c) 2009, The Hartford Courant, Conn.
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