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![\"MIKE](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/4096313_web1_240402-Budget-response-0122.jpg\")
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MIKE DEAL \/ FREE PRESS FILES<\/p>\n
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Jason Linklater, Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Negotiations ended this week after Dynacare rejected the union\u2019s counter-proposal and ended conciliation, the union said. The collective agreement expired on March 31.<\/p>\n
The union released a copy of contracts between Dynacare and the provincial government, which went into effect in April 2023, that it obtained via a freedom-of-information request.<\/p>\n
The funding boost, from 2018 to 2025, included a $5-million top up and annual increases, amounting to about $11.7-million over that time period.<\/p>\n
Linklater said that amount is more than five to six times what the workers received in wage increases over the same time period.<\/p>\n
The union argues Dynacare\u2019s final offer would mean its employees earn 20 to 30 per cent less than lab workers employed by Shared Health, who do the same work in public hospitals and clinics.<\/p>\n
In 2017, Dynacare\u2019s wages were at parity with Shared Health lab wages, the union said.<\/p>\n
Linklater asked why Dynacare lab workers should bargain with their employer, given the provincial government funds lab workers at both Shared Health and Dynacare.<\/p>\n
The union wants the province to release the five-year funding contract it signed with Dynacare last year.<\/p>\n
In an unsigned statement issued Friday, a Dynacare official argued its offer to the union reflects the maximum the company can \u201csustainably provide\u201d and that the company remains open to taking the matter to arbitration.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have been transparent about that reality throughout bargaining. We continue to believe interest arbitration is the fairest path to resolving this,\u201d said the company\u2019s statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is an independent process that would examine the facts and reach a binding decision, and that offer remains open.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Dynacare official said the company is focused on reaching a fair agreement.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are not going to negotiate through the media or respond to selective releases of historical contract information,\u201d the official said.<\/p>\n
Dynacare said it has made \u201csignificant and ongoing investments\u201d to its services, including at its main lab on King Edward Street, partnered with post-secondary institutions on training, and spending money on technology, testing capabilities and infrastructure at its locations.<\/p>\n
The union has set a strike deadline of 6 a.m. Tuesday, just ahead of a labour board hearing prompted by Labour Minister Malaya Marcelino\u2019s application for a review into whether an essential services agreement is needed. It would deem the workers essential and take away their right to strike.<\/p>\n
Linklater has argued the application is a betrayal by the province and removed pressure on Dynacare to reach a contract.<\/p>\n
The company and union had agreed in March, before the contract expired, that Dynacare services are not deemed essential under provincial law.<\/p>\n
Neither the labour minister nor Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara were made available for an interview on Friday and the government did not substantively respond to the union\u2019s latest claims.<\/p>\n
A government spokesman did say the province continues to hope the two sides can reach a resolution through bargaining.<\/p>\n
Tim Gillis, who went to the Dynacare outlet on McPhillips Street Friday, said labour talks should not result in any closure.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ongoing labour negotiations are one thing, but this is an essential service for health,\u201d Gillis, 48, told the Free Press. \u00a0\u201cI think you need to find a way around it, so they don\u2019t go on strike, because it\u2019s going to affect a lot of people in this community in a negative way.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the province should step up to make sure the labs stay open because they\u2019re critical for patients.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithout it, I can\u2019t continue my treatment,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca<\/p>\n
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Erik Pindera Erik Pindera is a reporter for the Free Press, mostly focusing on crime and justice. The born-and-bred Winnipegger attended Red River College Polytechnic, wrote for the community newspaper in Kenora, Ont. and reported on television and radio in Winnipeg before joining the Free Press in 2020.\u00a0 Read more about Erik<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every piece of reporting Erik produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print \u2014 part of the Free Press\u2018s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press\u2019s history and mandate<\/a>, and learn how our newsroom operates<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Reporter
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