Life Labs workers have reached a tentative agreement with their employer, halting any further job action on the Coast.
The B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) is encouraging acceptance of the Life Labs offer, and all members are expected to vote on the agreement by the end of the month.
"We are recommending acceptance so we're not expecting the process to go sideways," noted Karen Tankard, media relations person for BCGEU.
Highlights of the new offer released by Life Labs are a one-time lump sum equal to two per cent paid to workers upon ratification, a one per cent increase Jan. 1, a one per cent increase July 1 and a two per cent increase in July of 2014.
"All I can say is we believe this deal is better than what's been offered in the past," Tankard said. "All you've seen are the highlights, but there's more that goes on than just the highlights that made this acceptable."
Problems with the previous contract offer included no raise for workers in the first year and issues with how long-term disability benefits were structured.
Life Labs is pleased a new tentative agreement has been reached and that all locations are once again open.
"We are all delighted to return to uninterrupted laboratory services for patients and health care providers throughout the province," said Sue Paish, president and CEO of Life Labs.
