OPSEU/SEFPO in the news round up: LifeLabs workers hit the picket line!

LifeLabs workers in Local 389 have been on strike for a week. They’re holding the line until they get a fair deal that prioritizes patient care and workers over profits. After over a year of bargaining, the employer failed to offer a fair deal that would meet these workers’ needs. The employer wants to claw back their paid sick leave in exchange for a livable wage increase. This is completely unacceptable.

The members of OPSEU/SEFPO Local 389 include Laboratory Technicians and Medical Laboratory Assistants who perform critical medical testing to ensure timely diagnosis. They stand firm in their demands for a fair contract so they can provide the highest quality of patient care. They’ve been walking the line at 10 different LifeLabs’ locations around Simcoe County and their fight is getting tons of local attention from the community and the media. In fact, LifeLabs’ management called both the cops and firefighters on our members for peacefully picketing at one of their workplaces. But workers won’t be intimidated by these tactics. They’re ready to fight until they win what they deserve!

You can read the news coverage of LifeLabs Local 389’s strike below.

CTV News Barrie:

• Video: LifeLabs workers hit the picket lines
• LifeLabs workers strike for better pay, sick leave in Simcoe County
• Video: LifeLabs employees hold rallies in Simcoe County
• Simcoe County LifeLabs employees protest over wage disparity

Simcoe.com:

• Striking Simcoe County LifeLabs worker with cancer says she’s been banned from accessing facilities

Orillia Matters:

• Orillia LifeLabs employees ‘striking for fair wages’
• Temperature rises as fire crews respond to LifeLabs picket lines

Barrie Today:

• County LifeLabs workers rally in support of strike for better wages

Collingwood Today:

• Cops called as LifeLabs technicians begin strike for better pay