Red Cross gets injunction against striking Teamsters

Striking members of Teamsters Local 929 yesterday resumed picketing at American Red Cross Penn-Jersey Blood Services, but were under a court injunction not to interfere with blood shipments to hospitals.

The injunction, which permits no more than three picketers at the gate of the facility at 700 Spring Garden St., was obtained by the Red Cross on Thursday after union members went on strike and tried to block trucks, said Red Cross spokesman Anthony Tornetta.

The 110 members pack and store blood, load trucks, deliver blood, and assist at blood drives.

Volunteers and Red Cross employees filled in for some of the striking workers yesterday, and some local blood drives were rescheduled, Tornetta said.

Negotiations between the Red Cross and the union had been under way for a month before the contract expired at 12:01 a.m. Thursday.

The Red Cross is seeking higher employee contributions for health insurance and a one-year pay freeze, according to the union.

Carl London, the union's chief shop steward, said the strike was to protest unfair labor practices and problems with working conditions.

Several area hospitals yesterday said the strike had not created any shortages of blood products. Platelets are a particular concern because the cells cannot be stored for more than seven days after being donated.

"In the short term, there's no problem," said Abington Memorial Hospital spokeswoman Beth Ann Neill. "Of course, we are concerned if it goes on longer."