Here's what to know about the BC LifeLabs strike
Unionized LifeLabs workers in BC have launched a strike, which will result in temporary closures of some locations this week.
On Sunday, BC General Employees’ Union, which represents nearly 1,200 LifeLabs employees across the province, announced workers started job action as of 11:19 am PT that day after the union served a 72-hour strike notice last week.
The union said job action was launched “after 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.”
BCGEU president Paul Finch noted that LifeLabs is owned by US health giant Quest Diagnostics and is “fighting against an American model of healthcare and its impacts on workers.”
The Quest Diagnostics deal was approved in July 2024 as the Canadian medical testing company was sold to the New Jersey-based corporation for C$1.35 billion.
Finch claimed that LifeLabs workers earn 4-16% below what their peers in the industry get paid.
The union said LifeLabs workers voted 98 percent in favour of strike action in November 2024 and have been working without a contract since April.
In a statement posted on its website, LifeLabs said it “respects the negotiation process” and said it would like to work with the union to reach a “mutually acceptable” agreement.
LifeLabs added that it is an essential service, and locations will continue to operate and remain open during the strike despite the temporary closures of some centres, which will begin on February 20.
In a statement to Daily Hive, the BC Ministry of Labour said that LifeLabs and its workers provide critical services that British Columbians rely on.
The ministry encourages both sides to return to the bargaining table and “get a deal done.”
British Columbians who have appointments or are looking to schedule services at LifeLabs can check the online location finder for information about which centres will be open.