LifeLabs B.C. strike action will temporarily close some locations starting today
If you’re headed to get lab work done today, keep in mind that some LifeLabs locations around B.C. will be closed due to strike action.
On Sunday, the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU), which represents nearly 1,200 LifeLabs employees across the province, announced workers started job action as of 11:19 a.m. PST 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 added that LifeLabs workers voted 98 per cent in favour of strike action in November 2024 and have been working without a contract since April.
Unionized employees began picket lines at various locations around the province on Thursday.
LifeLabs (JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock)
LifeLabs’ website lists four locations in Vancouver as temporarily closed today, as well as some Metro Vancouver locations in Burnaby, Coquitlam, and Surrey.
Other LifeLabs around the province will be temporarily closed on Friday.
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.
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.