Local 3145 Members Ratify Contract

On Oct. 14, AFSCME Local 3145 members ratified both their three-year local union agreement and a national contract addendum in coalition with other Red Cross unions across the country.

Local 3145 leaders credited both the participation of rank-and-file members in the effort as well as an overall focus on retaining workers, protecting donor safety and safeguarding the national blood supply.

Council 4 Staff Representative Scott Soares, who served as spokesperson for Local 3145 in both national coalition and local unit negotiations, said the Red Cross union coalition’s proposals centered on investing in employees, decreasing turnover, and saving millions of dollars.

The resulting agreement included wage increases totaling 8.25% over three years, improved health care benefits, a paid time off pilot program and direct input in blood drive staffing plans. There were no concessions.

The coalition also fought for improved workplace safety for all bargaining unit employees. The new contract gives workers more rights to voice their safety concerns and time off between shifts, so they can be rested and safely perform their work. 

"Our goal is to protect the quality of our work, earn decent wages and benefits, and to be there for the donor community," said Local 3145 President Jessica Shuck, a Blood Collection Technician who is featured in the video to the right that features Red Cross union coaliton workers.

 Although not impacted by the recent Supreme Court ruling in Janus v. AFSCME, which imposed the “Right to Work for Less” practice on all public sector workers, Local 3145 members used their contract ratification as an opportunity to affirm their commitment to being “Union Strong” by signing their Council 4 membership cards.