What is it with the American Red Cross?  Last December, the Teamsters were picketing facilities of the American Red Cross in Philadelphia. This time around, shift one state over–to West Virginia–and now its the SEIU employees striking.

The Red Cross won a court injunction to get them back to work in December. No word yet on whether that will happen this time around, but reports say the strike will end today. From WOWK:

American Red Cross employees around the region say they are picketing due to months of poor management, thus raising concerns of blood and donor safety. From Parkersburg to Huntington, members of the Service Employees International Union District 1199 began striking at 7 a.m. Wednesday.

In a statement released by the SEIU, members say they have finally had enough. “Cutting jobs, slashing wages and benefits of employees and cutting corners are affecting the safety of our blood supply.”

The only person I see affecting the the “safety of our blood supply” is the SEIU, and oh wait, the other unions that are involved:

Stiltner said the strikes are part of a national coalition with work stoppages in five other states. She said there have been stoppages in California, Connecticut, Michigan, Georgia and Buffalo, N. Y. “Our coalition includes the AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees), the CWA and Teamsters,” she said. ” This affects 15 workers locally, 32 in Huntington and thousands across the country.”

Their mothers would be so proud. They’ve shut down mobile units in three states for this particular strike:

Because of the strike, the American Red Cross has to close its doors and halt its mobile units in 34 counties:

West Virginia: Boone, Cabell, Clay, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, Mingo, Putnam, Roane, Wayne, Wirt and Wood

Kentucky: Boyd, Bracken, Carter, Floyd, Greeup, Johnson, Lawrence, Lewis, Magoffin, Martin, Mason, Pike and Rowan

Ohio: Gallia, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Pike, Scioto and Washington

Image courtesy of a visual invasion.