Worcester Red Cross Employees Face Layoffs

WORCESTER, MA — Some American Red Cross Employees in Worcester and Central Massachusetts are bracing for bad news as the organization prepares to lay off over 50 employees. The layoffs are part of the a larger decision to discontinue community and mobile blood drives in Central and Western Massachusetts. In total, 52 employees will be laid off.

The American Red Cross submitted a notice with the state two weeks ago . Most companies with more than 100 employees are required under federal law to notify the state government when they plan large layoffs.

Community and mobile blood drive operations through the American Red Cross are set to end on Nov. 8, the day that layoffs will begin. Blood drives and donors will still be able to give blood in designated donation centers in Springfield and Worcester as well as the rest of the Commonwealth.

In a statement regarding the layoffs, Kelly Isenor, spokesperson for Red Cross Blood Services Region in Massachusetts, said the layoffs were part of an effort to consolidate the organizations resources. "To ensure long-term sustainability, the Red Cross needs to consolidate its operations in this market to generate greater efficiencies that will deliver cost-effective and reliable products and services for patients in need," she said, "We know this decision will affect the lives of our employees and the families. We are committed to doing the most we can to help make this transition as smooth as possible, and will also continue to work with the local unions to address issues collaboratively."

The statement did not specify whether the organization would help place employees in new positions.