Winnipeg — Manitoba’s NDP government moved quickly this week to stop a labour action by Dynacare lab workers, saying a work stoppage could endanger patients and the broader health-care system. Premier Wab Kinew publicly criticised the private testing company and suggested the province might consider taking over testing services if problems continued.
Labour board orders workers back pending decision
Hundreds of laboratory technologists and technicians represented by the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals began a strike on Tuesday after contract talks with Dynacare broke down. That same day, the Manitoba Labour Board granted an interim order requiring striking staff to return to work while it determines whether Dynacare employees are designated an essential service.
The province applied for the interim order, arguing during the hearing that a stoppage could have “catastrophic consequences” for Manitobans who rely on lab testing and for the health system as a whole. In a radio interview, Kinew said he agreed that the work performed by Dynacare staff was essential.
"Yeah, Dynacare sucks. I've got no problem saying that,"
He added: "Dynacare should give these workers a raise. Dynacare is making a mess of the situation. They have the whole way through here."
Premier raises option of public takeover
Asked whether the government would consider alternatives if services were repeatedly disrupted, Kinew said the province might look into ending its contract with Dynacare and making the testing system public. He did not provide a timeline or specifics about what a transition to public delivery would entail.
"The situation is not great. This company is making a mess," Kinew said. "I think it's pretty clear I'm not happy with them. At the same time, nobody should be trying to use people's health care as leverage."
What led to the stoppage
The walkout followed a breakdown in collective bargaining between Dynacare and the union representing its lab workforce. The union has sought improved compensation and working conditions for technologists and technicians who process tests used across the province.
- Who walked off: Hundreds of Dynacare laboratory technologists and technicians.
- Union: Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals.
- Employer: Dynacare, a private company contracted to provide laboratory testing.
Potential impacts and public concern
Lab testing is central to diagnosis, monitoring chronic conditions and managing infectious disease outbreaks. The province argued that an interruption could have immediate and severe consequences for patient care and the capacity of hospitals and clinics.
Healthcare workers, patients and health-system managers have expressed concern about the timeliness and reliability of test results in the event of a prolonged disruption. That concern underpinned the government's application for an interim order to prevent the strike from proceeding while the labour board resolves whether Dynacare's services are essential.
Next steps and what to watch for
The Labour Board must decide whether the work performed by Dynacare employees meets the legal threshold of an essential service. If it does, the board could impose limits on the right to strike and require collective bargaining to continue under specific conditions.
If the board finds otherwise, the province may face renewed pressure to seek other remedies, including changes to contracting arrangements. Kinew’s comments signalled the government would consider that option — though any move to end a contract and publicly deliver testing services would be complex and likely take time to plan and implement.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Dynacare workers begin strike | Tuesday (this week) |
| Province applies for interim Labour Board order | Tuesday (this week) |
| Labour Board orders workers back pending decision | Same day |
Union representatives and Dynacare have not released detailed public statements in the source material about next steps in bargaining. The labour board's upcoming hearings and ruling will shape whether talks resume under the existing legal framework or whether the province pursues other remedies.
For Manitobans, the dispute highlights broader questions about the role of private contractors in delivering health services and how governments ensure continuity of care when essential services are provided by non-public entities. The province’s intervention and the premier’s blunt public criticism mark a notable escalation in a labour dispute that directly touches patient care.
WE NEWS will continue to monitor the Labour Board process, statements from the union and Dynacare, and any provincial moves regarding contracting for lab services. Practical implications for patients — including sample collection locations, expected turnaround times and any contingency plans — will be covered as information becomes available.
