LifeLabs union workers issue 72-hour strike notice

Union workers at LifeLabs have issued 72-hour strike notice, saying there are still outstanding issues after “several months of negotiations, 30 days at the bargaining table, and eight days of mediation.”

According to the B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU), which represents 1,550 LifeLabs workers in the province, fair and reasonable wage increases remain an outstanding issue.

The BCGEU says members working for LifeLabs, which provides a wide range of medical testing services, including COVID-19 testing, are “among the ‘healthcare heroes'” who have worked through the pandemic.

“Instead of coming to the table willing to recognize the hard work and sacrifices of their employees by addressing long-standing issues with low wages and under-staffing, LifeLabs came to the table demanding concessions,” said BCGEU President Stephanie Smith.

She says members earn on average between 4.5 to 13.5 per cent less than others in the public sector under the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association.

“We know that we may not reach that target in this round of bargaining, but we’d certainly like to see the gap closed,” Smith said.

She notes members will use the 72 hours as much as possible to try to reach an agreement. The earliest job action could begin is Friday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m.

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The union claims initial proposals from LifeLabs earlier this year “sought to take away sick benefits and vacation days.” Those issues have since been resolved, but members say the employer continues to push back against “secure wages” that would bring them closer to industry standards.

“[Workers] want a fair contract so they can get back to work taking care of patients. We are willing to use every minute of the next 72 hours to get a deal done at the bargaining table if LifeLabs is willing to get serious about giving members the deal they deserve,” Smith said.

“LifeLabs is a private company that, because they are putting profit margins ahead of a fair wage deal, they’ve put us in this position. And we know that there is a serious recruitment and attention issue with staffing right now under the current system,” she explained, pointing to some LifeLabs location closures on Vancouver Island. “I, myself, I go to LifeLabs every week as part of a treatment program that I need to do, and I see just how hard-working those people are.”

The BCGEU assures agreements will mean some LifeLabs locations will stay open should a strike take place.

“It doesn’t necessarily mean that every single LifeLabs will be behind picket lines. We are going to be strategic about this and we do want to balance the needs of British Columbians with the needs of our members,” Smith told CityNews on Wednesday.

The BCGEU has set up a microsite so people can check to see which locations are affected by potential job action.

This summer, 98 per cent of union members voted in favour of strike action.

The union says members have been working without a contract since April 1, 2021.

In an email statement from LifeLabs, it says it will be taking all steps possible to minimize disruption to patients and health care providers.

“LifeLabs has been designated an Essential Service by the BC Labour Relations Board. We have worked with the BCGEU and the Board to determine the essential service levels that we will maintain in order to provide vital outpatient laboratory testing for our patients,” the statement reads.

“Most LifeLabs patient service centres will remain open. However, some patient service centres will be closed on a rotating basis as a result of the job action starting on Monday, October 25.”

If your appointment needs to reschedule, LifeLabs will notify you directly.

For complete details on impacted locations and hours of operation visit https://locations.lifelabs.com/.

-With files from Liza Yuzda and Nikitha Martins