HUNTINGTON -- Union workers at the American Red Cross stepped off picket lines late Sunday without a contract, but feeling as if they had made a point.

Some returned to their distribution posts Monday. Others are set to return Tuesday, June 8, as the Red Cross works to resume blood collections that were interrupted by the five-day work stoppage.

Spokeswoman Cheryl Gergely estimates the strike cost her organization 1,000 units of blood. Collections will resume Wednesday, June 9, once workers attend training sessions set for Tuesday. Uncertainty as to their return forced Red Cross to cancel collections for early this week.

About 60 union workers represented by Service Employees International Union Local 1199 walked off the job Wednesday, June 2. Union officials attributed the strike to disagreements about health insurance, pension, and staffing and other issues.

There have been no negotiations since Tuesday, June 1, and no new talks are scheduled, said Gergely and SEIU strike coordinator Fred Hornick. The former contract expired April 14, 2009.

"There's different tactics, different things for different situations," Hornick said.

Economic conditions forced Red Cross to modify pay and benefit packages afforded to its non-union staff. Now, in an attitude of fairness, Gergely said it wants to offer a consistent package to the union. She was unsure how long her organization could allow the union to work under terms of the expired contract.

Hornick said there are no plans for another walkout, but he did not eliminate such a possibility. He said his side is open to continued talks.

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