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'Some of these highly skilled, senior lab professionals stand to lose between $18,000 and $30,000 based on the take-aways DynaLIFE is proposing.' - HSAA president Elisabeth Ballermann.
Edmonton (14 Aug. 2009) - DynaLIFE Dx has offered its 912 lab employees an "anemic" three-year contract that includes 4% in the first and second years followed by potentially nothing in the third, contrary to an erroneous claim of 20% over two years that the company has "bandied about," says Elisabeth Ballermann, president of the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA/NUPGE).
The employees are trying to negotiate a fair contract with the American-controlled firm that closes a wage gap of 15% to 20% between what DynaLIFE Dx now pays them and the wages comparable employees earn elsewhere in the province.
"The figure is (DynaLIFE is offering ) is 8% guaranteed over two years with the possibility of a wage increase, decrease or status quo in the third year," says Ballermann. She was responding to what she described as "irresponsible statements" made through the media by DynaLIFE CEO Jason Pincock.
"This sort of posturing only serves to show the public - and government, for that matter - why these important health professionals sought the support of a union to begin with. They do not trust their employer," Ballermann added.
Government intervention
DynaLIFE employees were in a legal position to strike as of Friday morning, Aug. 14. However, the Alberta government intervened late this afternoon, appointing a disputes inquiry board to work with the two sides to reach an agreement.
"We're disappointed, but not surprised," Ballermann said of the government's intervention.
She noted that the 900-plus DynaLIFE members HSAA represents were anxious to exercise their right to strike on Friday to demonstrate their collective resolve and growing frustration over their employer's refusal to grant them equity with other lab-industry professionals across Alberta.
If the two sides can't reach a settlement by Sept. 25, 2009, a government-appointed arbitrator will submit non-binding recommendations for a proposed settlement to the provincial minister responsible for labour, Hector Goudreau. The recommended settlement must then be agreed to by both parties and voted on by DynaLIFE employees.
If either side rejects the non-binding recommendations, a strike or lockout situation would once again prevail.
Critical issues
Critical issues the employer has refused to adequately address over the past year of negotiations include retention incentive payments, a Flexible Health Spending Benefit, vacations, shift and callback differentials, overtime, pension plan, special leave and scheduling - all of which have been negotiated in HSAA's other lab industry collective agreements.
DynaLIFE's offer would place its 900-member workforce, in total compensation, between 15 and 20 per cent behind the provincial industry standard, including Calgary Lab Services and HSAA's provincial collective agreement.
"Some of these highly skilled, senior lab professionals stand to lose between $18,000 and $30,000 based on the take-aways DynaLIFE is proposing," Ballermann says.
"Albertans deserve to know the truth. Throughout this process, DynaLIFE Dx has maintained, that as a private lab corporation, they are somehow ‘unique'. As a corporate entity of Borealis Investments and the Laboratory Corporation of America, the latter medical company of which posted annual revenues of $4.5B in 2008, DynaLIFE is far from being unique in its desire to share its profits with its shareholders at the expense of its employees," added Ballermann.
DynaLIFE Dx operates 36 labs across central and northern Alberta, including locations in Red Deer, Fort McMurray, High Level and 21 labs throughout Edmonton.
Eighty-five per cent of all medical diagnoses are based, in part, on tests undertaken by laboratory professionals.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE