Union representing B.C. LifeLabs workers called back to bargaining table on first day of job action
As more than 1,500 members who work for LifeLabs in B.C. began job action Saturday, their union said the company had unexpectedly asked them to resume negotiations.
“We think that’s a positive sign, we’re cautiously optimistic,” said Paul Finch, the treasurer of the B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU).
Nearly a hundred workers rallied outside the company’s B.C. headquarters in Burnaby Saturday afternoon, shouting, waving flags, and carrying signs calling for “fair wages” with messages that included: “If healthcare heroes are outside, something is wrong inside.”
LifeLabs and the union have been negotiating since April, according to the company.
According to Finch, discussions broke down in the middle of the week, when agreements couldn’t be reached on two key issues.
“One is a fair wage,” Finch said. “Fair compensation for the work. And the other is a pension plan that affords collective security.”
As of Saturday, workers at 94 LifeLabs locations in the province will be rejecting overtime, and working-to-rule.
According to the union that means they will be “performing their jobs precisely as outlined in their job descriptions and their last collective agreement.”
Mandy De Fields, the BCGEU’s bargaining unit chairperson said the return to negotiations, expected Saturday evening, showed that the “pressure is working.”
“We’re doing what we need to (do to) keep up and keep applying that pressure until we get that fair deal,” she said.
Among their concerns, Finch explained, are that public sector workers who work in hospitals are paid between 4.5 and 13.5 per cent more for performing the same duties as their LifeLabs counterparts.
“It’s an issue to the point where LifeLabs has had to temporarily close some of their facilities throughout the pandemic, because of (a) recruitment and retention issue,” Finch said.
If negotiations remain at an impasse, Finch said, job action could escalate to rotating strikes as soon as Monday.
In a statement on Saturday, LifeLabs said that all of its locations remain open according to their regular schedules.
“LifeLabs is hopeful that we can reach an agreement with the BCGEU in this current round of negotiations and avoid closure of any patient service centres,” the statement read.
It added it was committed “to taking all steps possible to minimize disruption to patients and health care providers.”
The company has previously said that while it has been designated an essential service, if strikes happen, some locations could be closed, and patients with appointments that are impacted will be contacted directly.
While the move could potentially impact wait times across the province for patients of the largest diagnostic lab company in the country, a few dozen locations where workers are not unionized, would be unaffected.
LifeLabs is asking patients to monitor its website for up-to-date information on any changes to its opening hours.
The union said it also plans to post a list of strike locations on its website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.