LifeLabs in B.C. facing possible strike action
The B.C. Government Service Employees' Union, which represents some of LifeLabs' front-line workers, has served strike notice. Job action could begin as early as Oct. 22 at 7 p.m.
Job action could begin as early as Oct. 22 at 7 p.m.
“It is possible that appointments that were made previously could not be honoured if those sites are behind picket lines,” explained BCGEU president Stephanie Smith on Wednesday
“So there are some non-unionized LifeLabs. Those of course will remain open during the job action. As well, we have negotiated essential service levels with the employer,” she explained.
LifeLabs said it’s doing all it can to minimize disruptions and that job action won’t start until after the weekend.
“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,” reads a statement from the company.
“Patients with appointments that need to be rescheduled will be notified directly by LifeLabs.”
Health Minister Adrian Dix said his ministry is preparing "to ensure that patients are protected" and is "very hopeful the collective bargaining process will lead to an agreement."
The union said one of the main issues is wages.
“Our members at LifeLabs earn on average between 4.5 per cent to 13.5 per cent less than workers doing exactly the same jobs in hospital labs and we want to see that gap addressed,” said Smith.
LifeLabs patient service centres are already busy and there are concerns job action will only make things worse.
“I know a lot of our patients have been reporting (waiting) multiple weeks to get an appointment at LifeLabs and having to wait hours in line just to get routine blood work done,” said Laura Todd, who works as an administrator in a Victoria-area doctor’s office.
Poor wages and working conditions have "created a staffing crisis at LifeLabs," according to an online post from the union.
"Staffing shortages are so bad that they had to suddenly shut down at least two patient service centres in Greater Victoria," said the BCGEU statement.
LifeLabs is responsible for the majority of outpatient lab work done across B.C.
The BCGEU said it has been engaged in six months of bargaining and several rounds of mediation.
LifeLabs advises patients to visit its website for more details on job action.
The union also said it will post information on which centres are impacted by job action online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.