Manitoba’s labour board to hear government request on essential status for lab staff

Manitoba’s Labour Board is set to review a request on September 5th for medical laboratory staff to be classified as essential workers, coinciding with their scheduled strike. The board’s hearing will take place on Tuesday. Premier Malaya Marcelino, who submitted the application last week, emphasized the province’s obligation to facilitate access to healthcare services.

The Manitoba Association of Healthcare Professionals, representing 350 employees at Dynacare, informed the company that staff would strike following unsuccessful contract negotiations. The union has been advocating for a wage raise to bridge the reported 20 to 50 percent gap between public-sector lab workers’ salaries. Dynacare, in response, acknowledged the difficulty in avoiding labor disruption but supported the government’s decision to pursue an essential services agreement.