The Northern Ohio Red Cross reacting today to the threat of a strike by blood collection workers beginning on Valentines Day as contract negotiations stall.

Northern Ohio Red Cross Communications Director Christy Sabaka tells AkronNewsNow what happens to local blood collections if there is a walkout by the members of the Teamsters Union.

" If a work stoppage would occur we will work to bring in blood from other red cross locations to continue to meet the needs of the patients here in northern Ohio. we are a nationwide system, and we can call on our sister regions to help us meet the need here."

Sabaka says they are also working on contingency plans to try and stage some local blood drives during a strike.

" We would also look at the possibility of continuing to hold blood drives. Again it's all going to depend on what would happen that day, and we'll have contingency plans in place, and if we can hold blood drives we will."

Sabaka says future health care coverage for the 200 employees is the main obstacle to a contract agreement. She denies union claims that health care coverage would change, and says there are no plans for trimming blood collection employees.

Sabaka says the Red Cross is waiting to resume contract talks.