Unionized workers at LifeLabs in British Columbia have issued 72-hour strike notice.
The union says the move follows months of negotiations with the company, which it claims is refusing to raise wages to match the cost of living or to deal with “chronic understaffing.”
“LifeLabs workers receive 4-16 per cent below what others in their industry get paid and they are struggling to make ends meet,” B.C. General Employees Union president Paul Finch said in a media release.
“Now that LifeLabs is owned by Quest Diagnostics, a billion-dollar U.S. health giant – we are fighting against an American for-profit model of healthcare and its impacts on workers.”
In an email, a spokesperson for LifeLabs said the company is committed to reaching a negotiated deal.
“Our highest priority is to ensure continuity of care for the people of British Columbia, who rely on us for their testing needs,” the company said.
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“As a designated essential service, LifeLabs will continue to operate. However, some LifeLabs locations may be subject to rotating temporary closures.”
LifeLabs urged customers to visit its website for updated closure information.
B.C.’s Ministry of Labour said in the case of a work stoppage, the Labour Relations Board would designate specific services as essential ” to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of people in B.C.”
LifeLabs workers voted 98 per cent in favour of strike action in November. They have been without a contract since April 1 last year.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this story said the Ministry of Labour would designate essential services. In fact, it is the Labour Relations board.
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