Red Cross National Contract Ratified

Congrats to CWAers & other union members who ratified their historic national contract at @RedCross this month! pic.twitter.com/UVVA6Knrfu

— CWA District 1 (@CWADistrict1) October 16, 2015

4,000 American Red Cross (ARC) union members have come together to achieve a contract that builds power to improve jobs, healthcare, wages and working conditions.  Over the last two months, ARC workers in 24 states have overwhelmingly voted to ratify the first National Red Cross Contract that will cover ARC Union members from eight different unions.  This contract is a historic victory for ARC workers and union members.

On September 10, ARC workers in Syracuse, NY won their election to join CWA Local 1121 with 29 yes votes and 16 no votes. In August, a unit of 55 apheresis and donor specialists won their election to join CWA Local 1118 in Albany, NY.

The National Contract and Local Contract will be in effect until September 30, 2018, which means we have joint contract expiration dates with other Red Cross union workers across the country.  CWA will continue to work with other unions to build a strong coalition, organize more ARC workers to grow our unions, and build a strong labor-management partnership with ARC.

Covered by the national agreement are members of CWA, AFSCME, the Teamsters, Service Employees, American Federation of Teachers, United Auto Workers, Food and Commercial Workers and United Steelworkers. The contract includes an expedited election procedure so new workers organizing can vote in 14 days. The Red Cross has also committed to remain neutral during organizing campaigns.

CWA represents Red Cross health care workers in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia. Click here to like CWA's Red Cross page on Facebook to stay in the loop.