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Red Cross Plans Michigan Layoffs

The American Red Cross (ARC) announced a plan to cutback operations in its Great Lakes blood region and might terminate an estimated 230 employees, according to multiple news outlets in the Detroit area. Mobile blood drives would no longer be held in Lansing, Muskegon, Petosky, Flint, Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids.

Because many are union jobs, the Red Cross is obligated to provide the unions the chance to propose alternate concessions before a final decision is reached.

The ARC acknowledged the changes via a statement: “We deeply regret the loss of jobs and know these changes would affect the lives of our employees and their families. We are committed to doing the most we can to help make this proposed transition as smooth as possible, including reaching out to area employers to help affected employees find new jobs,” according to the statement.

It continued, “Please know the Red Cross will continue its lifesaving mission in Michigan. In addition to providing blood products for people in need, our focus on providing disaster preparedness and response activities, our services to military members, veterans and their families, and our ongoing health and safety trainings throughout Michigan remain just as robust. During fiscal year 2018, the Red Cross in Michigan responded to more than 2,200 disasters and mobilized nearly 6,000 volunteers who contributed to our mission.”