June 17, 2008

On June 5th, 73% of Local 21 members at Dynacare/LabCorp voted to approve a new contract that includes bigger raises than we won in our last negotiations, and only minimal changes to health benefits.

Highlights of Our New Contract

As detailed in the vote meetings, highlights of our new contract include:

Solid Wage Increases

• Wage increases averaging at least 5.25% this year, with some job classifications receiving more than 7%. All employees will receive 2.75% - 4.5% at ratification, depending on job class, in addition to the 2.5% anniversary date step increases you receive as you move up the wage scale.
• Total increase next year of 4.75% when you combine step increases and cost-of-living increases. Employees will receive an additional 4.75% total increase in 2010.
• Add Step 25 to the wage scale at 2.5% above Step 22 to better reward long-term employees.
• Float pay premium to assure adequate float coverage.

Protect Health Care Benefits

• Health insurance coverage preserved with only small increases to the annual deductible and co-pays.
• Improved prescription drug plan provides maintenance medications by mail order at a lower cost.
• Hold cost increases for dependant medical coverage down to 3% next year. This will have the added benefit of lowering the percentage employees pay for dependant medical coverage for the life of the contract.

Other Improvements

• New sick leave donation bank so employees can assist a co-worker who has a long-term illness.
• Reduce time required for Lab Assistants and Patient Service Technicians to become Senior Lab Assistants and PST Specialists.

Any Questions?

Our new wage scales and other changes should already be in effect as the final contract documents are prepared for signature. We will provide copies of the contract promptly once the final agreement has been reviewed and signed.

In the meantime, if you have any questions, speak to a member of the union bargaining team, or call Union Representative Pat Silvernale at 1-800-732-1188, ext. 6525.

Your Union Bargaining Team

Bob Bowers, Patient Service Tech
Kay Jacobson, Med Tech
Helen Johnson, Billing Clerk
Nichole Madison, PST Specialist
Janice Malone, Med Tech
Synava McDonald, Patient Service Tech
Stanley McKinley, Med Tech
Sherry McVay, Client Service Rep
Janet Moline, Histology Tech
Grace Nagamatsu, Med Tech
Kathy Peterson, MLT
Sandra Saad, Med Tech
Bill Sargent, Med Tech
Lila Strough, Med Tech
Mark Tachuk, Service Rep
Mary Zelenkov, Cytogenetics Tech
Pat Silvernale, Union Representative
David Fleishman, Union Negotiations Director