Dynacare prepares for strike

Seven full-time employees and some casual workers in Steinbach will be affected if Dynacare employees represented by the MAHCP (Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals) head to the picket line.

The union announced a strike deadline on Aug. 21 after receiving a 99.7 percent strike mandate from the nearly 350 laboratory professionals working at Dynacare’s 22 laboratory and health services centres in Winnipeg, Brandon and rural Manitoba.

Dynacare is a subsidiary of North Carolina based LabCorp.

In a press release the union stated that Dynacare wages have fallen 20 to 50 percent behind public hospital laboratories since 2017.

Job action will begin at 6 a.m. on Sept. 8, following the long weekend unless parties reach a tentative agreement.

“We hoped that a 99.7 percent strike mandate would motivate Dynacare to come back to the bargaining table with a competitive offer, but their actions are telling us to get ready for a strike,” MAHCP President Jason Linklater said. “If Dynacare would rather have a strike than pay their employees market wages, then our members are prepared to fight for what they deserve.

In March, both MAHCP and Dynacare agreed that it was not necessary to continue Dynacare’s laboratory services in the event of a strike under provincial essential services legislation.

“As Dynacare operations depend on laboratory technicians and technologists, it is anticipated that all Dynacare Laboratory and Health Services Centres, and the main processing laboratory in Winnipeg, would cease operations for the duration of the strike action,” the press release stated. “The same outpatient laboratory services Dynacare provides are available at any public hospital and some public clinics.”

Linklater said Dynacare is already facing staffing challenges because of low wages but warned a strike could drive even more away.

“It’s in everyone’s interest to avoid a strike, but Dynacare has to get back to the table with a serious offer that addresses the huge and growing wage gap and recognizes the value of these professionals who perform millions of tests for Manitobans,” he said.

MAHCP represents more than 7,600 allied health professionals.