LifeLabs workers issue 72-hour strike notice – action to begin this Sunday, Feb. 16

Sounder News

Members of the B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) working at LifeLabs have issued 72-hours’ strike notice to their employer. This action follows months of negotiations and LifeLabs’ refusal to bring wages and benefits in line with the cost of living, or to address poor working conditions resulting from chronic understaffing.

“LifeLabs workers receive 4-16% below what others in their industry get paid and they are struggling to make ends meet,” said BCGEU president Paul Finch. “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.”

The Lifelabs office in the bottom of the Gabriola Community Health Centre is the sole location on Gabriola for islanders to have testing done without having to go to Nanaimo.

Lifelabs issued a statement stating, “Unfortunately, BCGEU has notified us of their intention to begin job action as soon as Sunday, February 16, 2025, at 11:00am.

“LifeLabs respects the negotiation process and employees’ right to pursue their interests. We would like to continue to negotiate and work with the union to reach an agreement that is mutually acceptable and reflects the value our employees bring to their roles each day.”

The union says it is seeking wage increases that close the gap with those in the public sector doing the same work, solutions to short-staffing and workload issues, and improvements to health and safety benefits.

“Workers want the employer to come back to the table with an offer that is less focused on their corporate profit margins, and more respectful both of workers, and the thousands of us across B.C. that depend on LifeLabs’ services,” said Finch.

As workers launch job action, they will be holding a one-day strike kickoff rally on Sunday February 16, 2025, at the LifeLabs Burnaby Reference Lab.

In November, LifeLabs workers voted 98 per cent in favour of strike action and have been working without a contract since April 1, 2024. The BCGEU represents about 1,200 workers at LifeLabs throughout the province.

Lifelabs statement says the company’s highest priority is to ensure continuity of care for the people of British Columbia, “who rely on us for their testing needs. As a designated essential service, LifeLabs will continue to operate, however some Patient Services Centres may be subject to rotating temporary closures. We will do everything in our power to minimize the disruption this creates for our customers and clients.”

The Lifelabs website is locations.lifelabs.com, which the company says will be updated for hours of operation.

Island Health does provide testing locations in Nanaimo and at other locations on Vancouver Island, but not on Gabriola, for those patients looking for somewhere to go while Lifelabs service is interrupted.

Communications staff with Island Health said, “Our regular labs will continue to be available and people can be directed to our website to find the Island Health lab nearest them.

“People should speak to their primary care provider/whoever ordered the tests for guidance on whether it could be appropriate to delay testing.”