Medical Laboratories of Windsor workers on strike

WINDSOR, ON, Oct. 1, 2017 /CNW/ - Medical Lab Assistants and Medical Lab Technologists, represented by Unifor Local 2458, will begin strike action at eleven Medical Laboratories of Windsor locations at 12:01 a.m. on October 2, 2017.

"These members are performing highly skilled, technical jobs that provide vital medical information for patients, yet many are making half of what those doing the same job in a hospital are paid," said Tullio DiPonti, Local 2458 Secretary-Treasurer.

Since the Ontario government began to contract out to for-profit labs, including Medical Laboratories of Windsor, wages for lab workers working outside the hospital system have fallen steadily while the cost to the system has increased.

For the first five years of service Medical Lab Technologists earn $22.00 an hour and Medical Lab Assistants earn just $13.50. The workers have been without a contract since March, 2017. 

"The workers did not make the decision to strike lightly.  They care about the patients they serve but the time has come to stand up for fairness," said Unifor National Representative Chris Taylor.

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing more than 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.

SOURCE Unifor