National

Unionized B.C. LifeLabs workers to take job action

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 22 Oct, 2021 05:14 PM

The union representing some workers at LifeLabs, the largest provider of medical laboratory services in British Columbia, says its members plan to take job action.

The B.C. General Employees' Union says a rally is scheduled outside a LifeLabs in Burnaby on Saturday as workers plan to refuse voluntary overtime and work to rule, starting Friday night.

So much support for @bcgeu⁩ members as they prep to launch job action against ⁦@LifeLabs⁩. Grateful to media for helping get the story out #bclab #solidarity #bclab ✊🏻 https://t.co/6ugBJyAymn
— Stephanie Smith (@steph_smith303) October 22, 2021

The job action covers all 94 LifeLabs locations where the union represents workers.

LifeLabs says on its website that it has been designated an essential service by the B.C. Labour Relations Board but expects there will be some disruption to its work.

Workers have been without a contract since April and the union says wages are the main issue, although LifeLabs says on its website that agreement had been reached on key monetary provisions before the union rejected its latest offer.

The union says its members will set up picket lines if a suitable contract hasn't been reached by Nov. 1.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

COVID-19 safety rules too weak at polls: workers

Mary Rose Amaral says she wanted to participate in democracy by working at a Toronto voting station, despite being immunocompromised with asthma, and she expected Elections Canada to take more precautions to protect its employees.

COVID-19 safety rules too weak at polls: workers

O'Toole's leadership should be reviewed: member

In the leadership race, O'Toole campaigned as the "true blue" conservative, making promises like axing the Liberals' carbon price, only to introduce one of his own after winning.

O'Toole's leadership should be reviewed: member

Endangered orca off B.C. likely dead: researchers

A statement from the Center for Whale Research in Washington state says a 47-year-old female identified as L47 has not been seen for nearly seven months and is likely dead.

Endangered orca off B.C. likely dead: researchers

Stanley Park reopens following coyote cull

The Vancouver Park Board says a small number of coyotes are still believed to be in the park but they are not an immediate threat to the public. The park has been reopened to 24-hours a day.

Stanley Park reopens following coyote cull

Schools, parents to be notified about COVID cases

Dr. Bonnie Henry said Tuesday that parents and teachers from across the province have let it be known they need to be informed about the transmission of the virus and that a new system is expected to be in place by the end of the week.

Schools, parents to be notified about COVID cases

525 COVID19 cases for Tuesday

Of the active cases, 332 individuals are currently in hospital and 155 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.