Union representing B.C. LifeLabs workers called back to bargaining table on first day of job action

More than 1,500 unionized workers at LifeLabs began job action on Saturday afternoon.

As more than 1,500 members who work for LifeLabs in B.C. began job action Saturday, their union said the company had unexpectedly asked them to resume negotiations.

“We think that’s a positive sign, we’re cautiously optimistic,” said Paul Finch, the treasurer of the B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU).

Nearly a hundred workers rallied outside the company’s B.C. headquarters in Burnaby Saturday afternoon, shouting, waving flags, and carrying signs calling for “fair wages” with messages that included: “If healthcare heroes are outside, something is wrong inside.”

LifeLabs and the union have been negotiating since April, according to the company.

According to Finch, discussions broke down in the middle of the week, when agreements couldn’t be reached on two key issues.

“One is a fair wage,” Finch said. “Fair compensation for the work. And the other is a pension plan that affords collective security.”

As of Saturday, workers at 94 LifeLabs locations in the province will be rejecting overtime, and working-to-rule.