Dynacare workers on strike across Manitoba over wage dispute

Dynacare laboratory technicians and technologists are now on strike after contract negotiations with the private company stalled Friday, bringing operations at all Manitoba locations to a halt.

The company, which conducts blood and other medical tests at 22 outlets in Winnipeg, Brandon and surrounding communities, is deadlocked in contract negotiations with the union that represents its 350 workers.

Jason Linklater, president of the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals, is expected to speak to reporters at a picket line Tuesday morning.

The union said in a news release it remains open to “substantive talks” with the company.

Negotiations ended last week after Dynacare rejected the union’s counter-proposal and ended conciliation. The collective agreement expired on March 31.

The union argues its workers make about 20-50 per cent less than workers who perform similar work at public laboratories at hospitals operated by the provincial health authority Shared Health.

The union is seeking wage parity with those public sector workers, but the union said Dynacare was not willing to address that concern, which is the main driver behind the deadlock.

Dynacare has said its last offer is the most it can sustainably provide, and that the company is open to arbitration.

“Manitobans are paying the price for privatization today…,” the Manitoba Health Coalition said in a news release Tuesday morning. “Private, for-profit companies will always put profits ahead of people.”

Union workers will be picketing outside of Dynacare locations on McPhillips, King Edward and Marion streets in Winnipeg, as well as locations in Brandon, Winkler and Steinbach.

Linklater previously accused the province of meddling in negotiations between the two sides.

The province has requested a labour board review of the strike, which begins Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.

Health officials have warned the strike would significantly impair the health-care system.

Shared Health said Friday its officials, as well as regional health authorities, CancerCare Manitoba and the government have been working together to prepare for the walkout. However, some elective or non-urgent testing may be delayed, if medically safe to do so.

Shared Health advised patients to follow the advice of care providers and seek reassessment if their condition changes while waiting for testing.

It said it will expand its lab collection services to help meet increased demand in phases, including the potential for temporary collection spaces.

Shared Health warned anyone who needs routine or non-urgent testing to go to appropriate locations, not to an emergency department or urgent care centre.

The union has argued the provincial government gave Dynacare, a U.S.-based private firm, an $11.7-million boost after the last round of negotiations in 2022 — and little of the increase went to workers.

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca