LifeLabs strikes deal with union employees

After a months-long labour dispute and rotating strikes, LifeLabs announced Wednesday that it has reached a new three-year collective agreement with the union representing roughly 1,200 of its workers in B.C.

The company says the deal was struck with the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) after receiving binding recommendations from a ministry-appointed mediator.

The two sides had been without a contract since April 2024, and the union voted in November to authorize job action in the dispute.

BCGEU President Paul Finch called the outcome a “positive result,” noting that key demands were met.

“Overall, we think good recommendations came out of binding mediation,” said Finch.

“Employer concessions were taken off the table, and we achieved wage parity in the second year of the deal.”

Finch says the agreement also includes improvements to working conditions and a joint committee to address chronic understaffing — one of the main reasons why workers walked off the job in February.

While Finch believes union members are largely satisfied with the settlement, he expressed concern over the province’s refusal to review its private contract with LifeLabs’ U.S.-based operator, Quest Diagnostics.

“We believe it was entirely inappropriate for the Ministry of Health to publicly say they would not review that this lucrative contract to an American for-profit company to administer outpatient diagnostic services. It’s an incredibly important issue we’re hoping the government deals with in the coming years.”

In March, BCGEU told 1130 NewsRadio the American-owned company brings in roughly $300M taxpayer dollars per year.

Despite the deal just being finalized, Finch confirmed that LifeLabs service levels have already returned to normal across the province.

In a statement, LifeLabs thanked both the mediator and its employees for their professionalism during the dispute.

“We appreciate the collaboration and partnership of BCGEU throughout this process. LifeLabs has a long history of partnering with BCGEU and we look forward to continuing the strong, collaborative relationship we have built over time.”

—With files from Sonia Aslam, Charlie Carey, and The Canadian Press.