Dynacare strike deadline Sept. 8

Manitoba’s 350 lab technicians at 22 Dynacare laboratory and health services centres could go on strike after the Labour Day weekend.

On Friday, the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals issued a strike deadline of 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8, after members voted last week to give the union a strike mandate.

Dynacare wages have fallen 20 to 50 per cent behind public hospital laboratories since 2017, the union said in a news release.

“Dynacare is already facing staffing challenges because of their low wages, and a strike could drive even more employees away,” MAHCP president Jason Linklater said in the release.

“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.”