The government has stated have COVID-19 testing increased to 4-thousand tests a day by early September but members of SEIU-West aren’t sure how that’s going to happen.
Union President, Barbara Cape says lab staff are already working overtime because the health system is having a hard time recruiting and retaining staff, because the SHA isn’t paying them what they are worth, so adding on this large amount of testing capacity will be a challenge.
Cape says there is no realistic plan on how to get to this amount, and it also has to be taken into consideration that there is also other testing going on, for things like diabetes and cancer.
She explains that COVID testing has been prioritized, but other testing needs to be done as well.
The SEIU-West President believes health care cuts have been keenly felt in lab services.
She contends employers are attempting to de-skill the workforce, while also demanding staff work more for less pay.