Those with appointments or plans to visit the Royal Oak LifeLabs location on Thursday will need to go to another location as a picket line will impact services.
BCGEU workers will picket the Royal Oak LifeLabs in Saanich on Thursday, February 20th, amid an ongoing labour dispute over wages, benefits, and working conditions.
Picket lines will begin at 7 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m. at #102 – 4480 West Saanich Road. The protest is part of a province-wide job action, with picket locations rotating according to an essential services order.
The strike action follows months of unsuccessful contract negotiations between the union and LifeLabs, which was acquired by US-based Quest Diagnostics in August 2024 for approximately $1.35 billion CAD.
BCGEU members issued a 72-hour strike notice earlier this week, citing wages that are 4-16% lower than those of workers in comparable public sector jobs, ongoing staffing shortages, and high workloads.
“LifeLabs workers are struggling to make ends meet,” said BCGEU President Paul Finch. “Now that LifeLabs is owned by Quest Diagnostics, a billion-dollar U.S. health giant, we are fighting against an American for-profit model of healthcare and its impacts on workers.”
See also: LifeLabs workers warn of strike action due to employer refusing to provide higher wages
LifeLabs workers have been without a contract since April 1st, 2024 and voted 98% in favour of strike action last November. The union is demanding wages and benefits that better reflect the rising cost of living and industry standards.
Meanwhile, LifeLabs has stated that they remain open to negotiations and are committed to maintaining service for British Columbians.
“We would like to continue to negotiate and work with the union to reach an agreement that is mutually acceptable and reflects the value our employees bring to their roles each day,” LifeLabs said in a statement.
As a designated essential service, LifeLabs will continue operating during the strike, though some locations may experience temporary closures. Clients can check the LifeLabs website for updates on service disruptions.
The Victoria picket line is expected to feature union members with colourful flags and signs as they protest outside the Royal Oak LifeLabs location.
Unionized LifeLabs locations in the following areas will maintain regular hours and are not impacted by strike action at this time: Gibsons, Sechelt, Bowen Island, Gabriola Island, Port Alberni, Kimberley, Scotch Creek, Blind Bay, Nelson, Denman Island, and Hornby Island.
With files from Curtis Blandy
