Striking workers urge Islanders to boycott mobile blood clinics

Striking Canadian Blood Services workers on P.E.I. are upset about mobile clinics being held inMiscouchelater thismonth.

The clinicsMay16, 17and18will be the first on the Island since the strike in Charlottetown began last fall.

• Striking P.E.I. Canadian Blood Services employees hold support rally

• Striking P.E.I. Canadian Blood Services workers 'adopted' for Christmas

Elevenpart-time workers began striking in September, seeking a guaranteed minimum number of hours every week.

"In the beginning of this strike, they said that they had cancelled the mobile clinics out of respect for the striking Charlottetown workers but now all of a sudden they are starting a mobile again on P.E.I.," said Tanya Herrell, one of the workers on strike and the president of the union local.

"So we are encouraging our fellow Islanders to not donate at the mobile clinic until we get back to work."

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

People who will be working at the blood clinics will be from Nova Scotia, Herrell said. While they belong to the same union they are from a different local so they can't refuse to work, she adds.

'Starting to lose touch'

Canadian Blood Services in Atlantic Canada still has enough blood to meet demand, but a spokesperson said the organization wants to reconnect with donors in the Summerside area.

"We are not asking donors from Charlottetown to come to Miscouche. This is our Summerside event for the donor base there," said Peter MacDonald, director of donor relations.

"I think we are starting to lose touch with the folks there and this is part of our schedule, And I think it's time for us to come back there."

Donors from the Summerside area who are being called have been told there will likely be a picket line, MacDonald adds, but he expects striking workerswill allow donors to pass through.

• MORE P.E.I. NEWS ICharlottetown prohibits 'aggressive solicitation' on city streets
• MORE P.E.I. NEWS ICharlottetown condo development gets final approval