Shared Health issued an urgent call Friday to surgical patients who require bloodwork to get it done before Dynacare stops collecting blood on noon Saturday — three days before lab workers are set to go on strike.

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Shared Health issued an urgent call Friday to surgical patients who require bloodwork to get it done before Dynacare stops collecting blood on noon Saturday — three days before lab workers are set to go on strike.

Shared Health issued an urgent call Friday to surgical patients who require bloodwork to get it done before Dynacare stops collecting blood on noon Saturday — three days before lab workers are set to go on strike.

The company, which conducts blood tests at 22 outlets in Winnipeg, Brandon and surrounding communities, is locked in a contract battle with the union that represents its 350 workers.

Health officials warned that any disruption would significantly impair the health-care system.

Shared Health said Friday its officials, as well as regional health authorities, CancerCare Manitoba and the government have been working together to prepare for the walkout.

“Emergency and time-sensitive diagnostic testing will continue, with testing prioritized according to clinical urgency and patient need,” a news release issued by Shared Health said.

However, some elective or non-urgent testing may be delayed, if medically safe to do so.

Shared Health advised patients to follow the advice of care providers and seek reassessment if their condition changes while waiting for testing.

It said it will expand its lab collection services to help meet increased demand in phases, including the potential for temporary collection spaces.

Shared Health warned anyone who needs routine or non-urgent testing to go to appropriate locations, not to an emergency department or urgent care centre.

The union said Friday the Manitoba government gave Dynacare, a U.S.-based private firm, an $11.7-million boost after the last round of negotiations in 2022 — and little went to workers.

“It, on the outside, appears like (the province) uses this as a vehicle to save money and the company uses that vehicle to make profit and it’s all on the backs of those lab professionals who are the least powerful and are not paid properly,” said Jason Linklater, president of the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals

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