Striking blood services workers picket mobile clinic

Striking Canadian Blood Services workers in P.E.I. are slowly letting trucks and workers from Nova Scotia cross their picket line to set up a mobile blood donation clinic at the Miscouche Recreation Centre.

The 11 part-time workers, who have been on strike since September, took up the picket line Monday afternoon.

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The workers initially refused to let the Canadian Blood Services trucks or workers, or even the recreation centre's manager, cross the picket line.

But RCMP, who were called to the area to monitor the situation, negotiated with the strikers, who eventually agreed to let one clinic truck past the picket line every 10 minutes.

The striking workers did allow donors to cross the picket line when the clinic opened at 5 p.m., but handed out flyers to let people know why they're on strike.

Connecting with donors

It's the first blood donation clinic on the Island since the workers went on strike in September 2015. 

"Donors have expressed their desire to return to the mobile clinic and we do not want to lose our connection with our dedicated donors," Canadian Blood Services director of donor relations for Atlantic Canada Peter MacDonald said in a written statement.

"The mobile clinic is a regularly scheduled event. We expect to reach our goal and what we collect will contribute to the national inventory. This clinic had been previously scheduled as part of our regular events to meet hospital demand."

'Shame on you'

As the first truck was allowed through, the strikers yelled, "Nova Scotia scabbers go home. Shame on you," and, "You're next."

Tanya Herrell, spokesperson for the union local that represents the striking workers, said she's "disgusted" with the company for allowing the mobile blood donation clinic to go ahead.

"It's a tough situation. It's hard on both sides. It's hard for us to see our co-workers from Nova Scotia and fellow union ... members crossing our line, but it also must be very difficult for them to have to do that," she said, adding that she's worked for the company for 16 years.

"So CBS has put us in a very tough situation ... It's just so disappointing that they would treat their staff this way and try and cause a rift between the two locals."

'Pretty shaken up'

It feels horrible. We're all pretty shaken up about it.— Renee Karsten

The workers from Nova Scotia belong to the same union but are from a different local, so they can't refuse to work.

But some of the workers took an unpaid break to support the striking workers out on the picket line.

"We're here to support these people … They deserve to get back to work," said Renee Karsten, one of the workers from Nova Scotia.

"It feels horrible. We're all pretty shaken up about it but unfortunately we have no choice but to work and we could be disciplined from our employer if we refuse to work this clinic."

Workers from the Canadian Union of Public Employees and the Public Service Alliance of Canada also joined the picket in support.

'It's in you to give'

Blood donor Bert Carr of Borden-Carleton said he understands the position of the striking workers, but feels it's important to donate blood.

"I give every time they come around for blood … Blood is still needed, so no reason for me not to come," he said.

"It's in you to give."

Carr said the strikers didn't cause any problems as he entered the building, but him to read an information sheet about why they're on the picket line.

3-day mobile clinic

Canadian Blood Services announced on May 10 they would hold a three-day mobile clinic in the community.

According to Herrell, Canadian Blood Services cancelled the mobile clinics during the early stages of the strike "out of respect" for the striking workers.

The striking workers had asked Island donors not to attend the mobile clinic to show their support. They say they plan to picket during all three days of the mobile clinic.

Canadian Blood Services has stated that the strike would not affect blood supply levels as blood is being distributed to Island hospitals from Nova Scotia. 

The striking workers are asking for a guaranteed minimum number of hours of work every week. 

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