Workers Claim Red Cross is Racist - Intimidated for Union Organizing

Many people know the Red Cross as a humanitarian organization that collects and distributes blood, providing a valuable service to the community, as well as providing disaster relief. What many people in the tri-state region do not know, is that workers have been trying to organize and form a union. Red Cross workers say that management is racist, denying African-American workers promotions and is forcing them to work long hours on irregular shifts with little pay. Workers trying to unionize claim they have been intimidated and threatened for their Union activities. Gina Swinea, of the United Food and Commerical Workers Union said that Red Cross workers have been trying to form a Union. She says that management disregards Labor Law. In a recent public forum Swinea said that many people view the Red Cross as a philanthropic organization that provides a valuable service. She says that this is what keeps workers coming back, because they value the service that they are performing, but that they don't get respect as workers. Workers start off at a low wage, $7.40 an hour, and are asked to work odd shifts, ranging from 20-70 hours a week and starting as early as three in the morning. Additionally there are complaints that management makes changes in worker policy often, without informing workers of the changes until after the fact. [more]