Unionized Red Cross workers voted to authorize their bargaining committee to call for a strike if necessary.
There are about 200 nurses, technicians and other workers in blood services represented by American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees or AFSCME.
The vote took place Sunday in New Britain. Larry Dorman, a spokesman for AFSCME Local 3145, said workers have been without a contract for 2 and a half years.
"It's an unacceptable situation," Dorman said.
Workers said that they want the right to negotiate.
"The other issue is a safety issue," chief negotiator Kip Lockhart said. "They (Red Cross) do not want to have any contractual obligations to have registered nurses on blood drives."
Donna Morrissey, Spokesperson for American Red Cross Blood Services in Connecticut, said they are disappointed union leaders are looking to strike at a time when the need for blood is high and supplies are tight.
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"(We) hope that AFSCME leaders will agree to continue negotiations and present a meaningful proposal to make progress towards and agreement," Morrissey said.
If there is a strike, there is concern about possible blood shortages.
Union leaders tried to reassure the public.
"They have the ability to bring blood in from other areas of the country which they have done in the past," Kip said. "Which they do whenever there's a shortage here."
Union leaders said their goal remains to have a just and fair settlement at the bargaining table.
