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

Richmond RCMP arrest robbery suspect who allegedly used a knife to threaten a convenience store clerk.

At approximately 11:00 pm on August 22, 2021 Richmond RCMP attended the 9000 block of Williams Rd for a robbery in progress. According to the victim, a man entered the store then allegedly produced a knife and demanded money.

Richmond RCMP arrest robbery suspect who allegedly used a knife to threaten a convenience store clerk.

RCMP investigate death of child in B.C.

RCMP are investigating the death of a child who sustained serious injuries at a campground in southeast British Columbia earlier this week. They say officers responded along with the provincial ambulance service on Monday to a report of an unresponsive child at a campground east of Creston.

RCMP investigate death of child in B.C.

671 COVID19 cases for Friday

There are 5,872 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 160,268 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 215 individuals are in hospital and 118 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

671 COVID19 cases for Friday

Doctor frustrated with 'arrogance' of unvaccinated

Dr. Steven Fedder, who works in the emergency room of a hospital in Richmond, B.C., said he has run out of patience for people whose stance against vaccines has larger societal implications.

Doctor frustrated with 'arrogance' of unvaccinated

O'Toole, Singh target Trudeau over election call

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is finding himself under fire this morning from his political opponents over the timing of an election call during the fourth wave of COVID-19. Trudeau triggered the election three weeks ago, and it wraps on Sept. 20.

O'Toole, Singh target Trudeau over election call

Lawsuit seeks Canada-wide drug decriminalization

The statement of claim filed Tuesday by the Canadian Association of People Who Use Drugs and four individual plaintiffs says drug dependence is well recognized as a medical condition, but criminalization means the toxic illicit market is the only source of most drugs.