Funding a walkout

Re “Red Cross walkout targets staffing,” May 1

Let me get this straight. The Red Cross is a nonprofit charity, which depends on a generous community for contributions of funds, blood supply and thousands of volunteer hours to fulfill its mission of humanitarian aid to all of us in Southern California after an earthquake, fire, mudslide or other disaster. Now the Service Employees International Union organizes 270 employees to walk off the job, preventing the charity from operating at full capacity to complete its mission.

As a donor to the Red Cross, I would like to know what percentage of my contribution pays the salaries of those who walked and what percentage of my contribution goes to the union as dues.

RONALD S. COHEN

Santa Monica