HEALTH : Strike Cuts N.Y. Blood Supply
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NEW YORK — The largest blood center in the country was down to less than a day’s supply when a planned four-day strike by more than 400 union workers began today, a spokesman said.
The New York Blood Center, which handles 2,000 pints per day, or nearly all of the blood that the area’s 250 hospitals use, planned to resupply from outside the area.
Hospital and union officials said most hospitals have put off elective surgery.
Local 1199 of the Drug, Hospital and Health Care Employees Union said the strike was called because of a management attempt to cut pension contributions by 50%.
No negotiations were planned until workers are back at their jobs, said Michael Scahill, a spokesman for the blood center.
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