Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today

By Dylana Kneeshaw

JOB ACTION

Striking LifeLabs workers to hold rally in Kamloops this weekend

Mar 28, 2025 | 4:38 PM

KAMLOOPS — Striking LifeLabs employees are set to hold a demonstration outside of a downtown Kamloops LifeLabs office this weekend in hopes of rallying support during the bargaining dispute.

LifeLabs workers have been on a rotating strike for six weeks now. Wages, understaffing and benefits are among the top issues at the negotiating table for the union. Currently, the BCGEU says LifeLabs employees are paid less than others are in the public sector side for the same work.

“In terms of what we hope to achieve, we hope that it will move the employer a little bit and have them come back to the table with a better offer than what they have,” explains Mandy DeFields, the BCGEU bargaining committee chairperson. “It’s just, so far, not been good enough and it’s not something we can take to our members for ratification at this point.”

According to the BCGEU, the five LifeLabs locations in Kamloops have about 35 staff. However, in the past year, 12 lab assistants have left, which has heightened understaffing. Ultimately, DeFields says the short staffing levels have impacted wait times to get an appointment.

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“We’re hoping to get as many people out in support of the striking LifeLabs workers,” she adds. “They’ve been out for six weeks now and that’s a long time so we want to develop some awareness and help the public understand that this fight isn’t just about us and our wages and our working conditions. It’s about providing quality care as well.”

The rally will be held on Sunday, March 30 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. outside the LifeLabs clinic at 321 Nicola Street.