PEORIA, Ill. – Workers across the country representing the American Red Cross — including here in Peoria — say they’re not being treated like the frontline workers that they are.
Workers in Peoria held a protest Monday morning, claiming the organization is pulling back healthcare benefits, and aren’t addressing safety and low-staffing levels.
“With the pandemic, they pulled back on blood drives because places weren’t open. We do a lot of drives in schools and churches and stuff, and we couldn’t go in there,” Bobbie Terrell, a collections specialist with the Red Cross, told 25 News. “I think they’re adding those drives back as the pandemic rolls back, but we still don’t have the staff to staff those drives.”
Terrell and co-workers claim Red Cross management has a “lack of respect for employees,” making it difficult to train and retain them.
Brian Williamsen, a Regional Communications Manager, tells 25 News in a statement:
“The Red Cross greatly values its employees whose compassion and hard work help those in need each day. We remain committed to providing our Red Cross employees across the country with competitive wages, benefits and working conditions, including health care. To this end, we have presented mutually beneficial proposals, and provided opportunities to increase wages and ensure quality affordable health care benefits. We continue to negotiate with the intent to reach a fair and amicable agreement.”
