LifeLabs, the largest medical laboratory in Canada, has recently finalized a collective agreement with its employees for the year 2021. The agreement comes after several months of negotiation between LifeLabs and its workers` union, the British Columbia Government and Service Employees` Union (BCGEU).

The collective agreement covers over 1,000 workers across the province of British Columbia, including medical laboratory technologists, phlebotomists, couriers, and support staff. It includes provisions for improved wages, benefits, and working conditions.

One of the key changes under the new agreement is an increase in wages for employees. The minimum wage for medical laboratory technologists will increase from $29.70 to $31.20 per hour by the end of the three-year agreement. Phlebotomists will also receive wage increases, with their minimum wage rising from $23.64 to $24.85 per hour.

In addition to wage increases, the collective agreement also includes improvements to benefits. Employees will have access to a new flexible benefits plan, which includes increased coverage for dental, vision, and paramedical services. The agreement also expands coverage for employees who require mental health support.

The new agreement also includes provisions for improved scheduling and overtime rules. Workers will have more say in their schedules, and employers will be required to provide a minimum of four hours of pay for shifts that are cancelled with less than 24 hours` notice. Overtime pay will be increased from 1.5 to 2 times the regular wage for hours worked beyond 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week.

The collective agreement has been praised by both LifeLabs and BCGEU. LifeLabs CEO, Charles Brown, stated that the agreement “provides stability for both our employees and our customers,” while the BCGEU president, Stephanie Smith, called it a “fair and reasonable deal.”

Overall, the new collective agreement between LifeLabs and its employees is a positive development for both parties. With improved wages, benefits, and working conditions, employees will be better equipped to provide the high-quality medical services that are essential to the health and well-being of Canadians.