LifeLabs says service won't be affected
Joshua Freeman,
CP24 Web Content Write
Published Monday, March 14, 2022
About 150 couriers and mailroom staff working for LifeLabs in the Greater Toronto Area have gone on strike.
The workers, who are represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), said they began their strike action after negotiations failed to produce a settlement with the laboratory service company.
“LifeLabs is one of the most profitable enterprises in Canada but won’t pay their staff a living wage,” OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas said in a statement. “Even after the hard work and sacrifices of the pandemic, LifeLabs sees no reason to pay its workers more than a handful of beans.”
PHOTOS
LifeLabs signage is seen outside of one of the lab's Toronto locations, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
The union pointed out that the average courier and mailroom worker in Toronto is paid around $35,000 a year “while living in the most expensive city in Canada” and said that those workers should see a larger share of the company’s profits.
In an email to CP24.com, LifeLabs said it is “committed” to reaching a fair agreement, but the union left the bargaining table.
“LifeLabs is committed to working with our local OPSEU partners to reach a fair agreement,” the company said. “We have been in negotiations since May 2021; however, OPSEU has left the bargaining table despite our competitive offers.
“We are hopeful that we can reach a balanced agreement soon to continue to support the needs of our employees and the communities that they serve.”
The union denied that its claims are unreasonable.
"We're not looking for the moon," Bargaining Team Chair Mahmood Alawneh said in a statement. "We're just looking for decent compensation so we can provide properly for our families. A lot of us are working two, three jobs to keep bread on the table.”
It is not clear how long the strike might last.
LifeLabs said in the meantime, it has a business continuity plan that allows it to maintain courier and mailroom service “in order to minimize any disruption to patients and health care providers.”
Last week the company said in a statement on its website that its services will continue despite any strike action.
“LifeLabs will remain operational throughout any job action,” the company said on March 11. “While there may be some disruption to our service levels, our goal is to provide Ontarians with continued access to services. We are taking all possible actions to minimize disruption to patients and health care providers.”
The company advised customers to check its website for any locations which may be impacted by picketing and to reach out to if they wish to reschedule an appointment.
Testing and diagnostic services have been at the forefront of public attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. LifeLabs currently offers a range tests, including COVID-19 PCR and rapid antigen tests through a partnership with Shoppers’ Drug Mart.
Published Monday, March 14, 2022
About 150 couriers and mailroom staff working for LifeLabs in the Greater Toronto Area have gone on strike.
The workers, who are represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), said they began their strike action after negotiations failed to produce a settlement with the laboratory service company.
“LifeLabs is one of the most profitable enterprises in Canada but won’t pay their staff a living wage,” OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas said in a statement. “Even after the hard work and sacrifices of the pandemic, LifeLabs sees no reason to pay its workers more than a handful of beans.”
PHOTOS
LifeLabs signage is seen outside of one of the lab's Toronto locations, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
The union pointed out that the average courier and mailroom worker in Toronto is paid around $35,000 a year “while living in the most expensive city in Canada” and said that those workers should see a larger share of the company’s profits.
In an email to CP24.com, LifeLabs said it is “committed” to reaching a fair agreement, but the union left the bargaining table.
“LifeLabs is committed to working with our local OPSEU partners to reach a fair agreement,” the company said. “We have been in negotiations since May 2021; however, OPSEU has left the bargaining table despite our competitive offers.
“We are hopeful that we can reach a balanced agreement soon to continue to support the needs of our employees and the communities that they serve.”
The union denied that its claims are unreasonable.
"We're not looking for the moon," Bargaining Team Chair Mahmood Alawneh said in a statement. "We're just looking for decent compensation so we can provide properly for our families. A lot of us are working two, three jobs to keep bread on the table.”
It is not clear how long the strike might last.
LifeLabs said in the meantime, it has a business continuity plan that allows it to maintain courier and mailroom service “in order to minimize any disruption to patients and health care providers.”
Last week the company said in a statement on its website that its services will continue despite any strike action.
“LifeLabs will remain operational throughout any job action,” the company said on March 11. “While there may be some disruption to our service levels, our goal is to provide Ontarians with continued access to services. We are taking all possible actions to minimize disruption to patients and health care providers.”
The company advised customers to check its website for any locations which may be impacted by picketing and to reach out to if they wish to reschedule an appointment.
Testing and diagnostic services have been at the forefront of public attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. LifeLabs currently offers a range tests, including COVID-19 PCR and rapid antigen tests through a partnership with Shoppers’ Drug Mart.
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