Laurie Nancekivell, OPSEU/SEFPO First Vice-President/Treasurer
Sara Labelle, Chair of OPSEU/SEFPO Sector 10, Hospital Professionals Division
Geoff Cain, Chair of OPSEU/SEFPO Sector 19, CBS and Diagnostics
JP Hornick, OPSEU/SEFPO President
Laurie Nancekivell, OPSEU/SEFPO First Vice-President/Treasurer
Sara Labelle, Chair of OPSEU/SEFPO Sector 10, Hospital Professionals Division
Geoff Cain, Chair of OPSEU/SEFPO Sector 19, CBS and Diagnostics
This National Medical Laboratory Week, we extend our deepest gratitude to all medical laboratory professionals who work tirelessly to provide care and keep our healthcare system strong and reliable.
OPSEU/SEFPO is proud to represent Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs), Medical Laboratory Technologists/Assistants, Phlebotomists and Pathology Assistants in Ontario’s hospitals, Public Health Ontario labs and LifeLabs clinics. Our members prepare and test medical samples for disease, including cancers and viruses, match blood for life-saving transfusions, perform COVID-19 testing and analysis, and much more. Their work determines care plans for patients and influences public health measures and policy decisions.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic began, medical lab professionals were already facing labour shortages and under-funding to labs, making the strain on them that much heavier when the pandemic hit and the demand for testing skyrocketed. Despite the challenges they face, medical lab professionals have continued to work with extreme dedication to ensure that patients receive the care they need.
This week, as we celebrate and show our appreciation to medical lab professionals, we must all commit to fighting for the long-term improvements they need in Canada’s labs; improvements like increased funding for testing equipment and resources, a labour strategy to address staffing shortages, and fair wages.
Thank you to all medical laboratory professionals in OPSEU/SEFPO and across Canada. We see you, we stand with you, and we will always fight for you.
In Solidarity,
JP Hornick, OPSEU/SEFPO President
Laurie Nancekivell, OPSEU/SEFPO First Vice-President/Treasurer
Sara Labelle, Chair of OPSEU/SEFPO Sector 10, Hospital Professionals Division
Geoff Cain, Chair of OPSEU/SEFPO Sector 19, CBS and Diagnostics