Dynacare workers deemed essential doesn’t solve the problem: Union
Posted October 2, 2026 4:34 pm.
Dynacare workers have now been deemed essential in Manitoba, meaning lab services must continue during a strike or lockout, but the union says the ruling doesn’t solve the issue at the heart of this dispute.
“At the heart of this dispute is wage disparity,” said Jason Linklater, the MAHCP President.
The Manitoba Labour Board ruled that Dynacare’s specimen collection, lab testing, and reporting must be maintained during any strike or lockout. But the union representing roughly 350 workers says the decision leaves its members with less leverage, and does nothing to address their frustrations.
“If these people are clearly essential and critical according to Shared Health and Dynacare and government’s definitions, then pay them like they are,” said Linklater.
MAHCP says its members make between 20 and 50 per cent less than workers doing comparable jobs in Manitoba’s public labs. Linklater says negotiations with Dynacare remain stalled and argues government intervention has taken away the union’s strongest bargaining tool.
“A strike is a last resort, but it’s the only tool that these workers had against their American for-profit employer.”
Meanwhile, Dynacare welcomed the Labour Board’s decision, saying uninterrupted lab services are needed to protect patients, particularly those waiting for urgent or specialized testing.
The company says it has reached out to the union to begin negotiating an essential services agreement and remains available to reach a new collective agreement.
“They still have not returned back to talking to us. I understand that Dynacare has spoken to government and indicated that they have reached out. That is unequivocally untrue,” said Linklater.
The Labour Board declined further comment, pointing to its written decision. CityNews also reached out to the province for its response to the ruling and the union’s concerns; we did not hear back.
