Area Red Cross Workers Threaten To Strike

The American Red Cross says about 200 workers who staff blood drives in five states including Virginia and Maryland plan to go on strike on September 16.

The Red Cross Greater Alleghenies Region told the Associated Press that a strike would "disrupt blood collections at a time when the need for blood is high and supplies are already tight."

Tom Crawford, a spokesman for Local 13000 of the Communications Workers of America, says health care is the main point of contention in the current bargaining process.

The Red Cross says Hurricane Irene has already forced the cancellation of more than 60 blood drives along the East Coast, resulting in a shortfall of more than 2,000 units of blood. The group expects that number to rise in the aftermath of Irene.