B.C. Dairy Milk Testers Strike After Prolonged Contract Negotiations
The dairy production technicians in British Columbia have gone on strike after 20 months of stalled negotiations with Lactanet, the company responsible for testing milk samples. The strike began on November 25, following a 72-hour notice issued by the B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) on November 21. These technicians, also known as dairy milk testers, play a crucial role in collecting milk samples from approximately 175 herds across the province for testing at the Lactanet lab in Chilliwack.
One of the central issues in the dispute is the mileage compensation provided to these workers. Currently, they are reimbursed at a rate of $0.41 per kilometre, which the BCGEU argues is significantly lower than the $0.72 per kilometre rate used by the Canada Revenue Agency for work-related travel. The union is urging Lactanet to reconsider its financial practices and cover the actual costs incurred by technicians who use their personal vehicles for work.
The absence of milk testers means that farmers will not receive valuable data used to improve milk quality, which is critical for determining the milk's worth and the revenue farmers receive. However, the BC Dairy Association has assured consumers that the strike will not impact the mandatory quality and safety inspections that all milk undergoes before leaving the farm.
BCGEU Treasurer Maria Middlemiss stated, “These workers are demanding that Lactanet reconsider how it’s using the fees it charges farmers for testing and cover the actual current-day costs of travelling to farms to gather samples.” The union emphasizes that the workers have been without a contract since September 30, 2023, and many have had to take second jobs to manage expenses.
Jack van Dongen, a milk tester and chair of the workers’ bargaining committee, highlighted that the strike was a difficult decision due to their dedication to the dairy industry and the farmers they serve. The union is calling for Lactanet to return to the bargaining table to resolve the ongoing issues.
