Unionized lab workers at LifeLabs Patient Service Centres begin rotating strikes across the province today.

The strike includes more than 700 members of the BC Government Employees Union, after mediated talks fell apart on Saturday.

On its website, BCGEU said locations not affected by the strikes will be open to serve patients.

The union says the main issues in the dispute are wages and the employer's demand for contract concessions.

Most of the 40 locations targeted by the unions will be affected today and tomorrow, with a lab in Victoria also affected on Wednesday.

With files from The Canadian Press