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What to Do in the Event of a Lab Courier Strike

by Tara Cepull, MA | Nov 27, 2024 | Essential, Inside the Lab Industry-lir, Lab Industry Advisor

With strikes increasing across industries, what happens if workers involved in the ancillary services labs depend on go on strike?

3D illustration of a set of cardboard boxes on steel trolley with mockup space on white background, showing the concept of a laboratory courier strike. — iStock, BongkarnThanyakij

Recently, various industry sectors have experienced worker strikes, typically to negotiate higher wages and/or better working environments. From dockworkers to Detroit automakers to Hollywood actors and screenwriters, employees are demanding more from employers and halting work activities in order to achieve those demands.^1,2,3

Health care has not been entirely immune; most notably, a strike within Kaiser Permanente’s health system was resolved in November 2023.⁴ Because only about 13 percent of healthcare workers are unionized, a strike involving laboratory personnel may be less likely to occur than in other sectors.⁵ However, with strikes increasing across industries, what happens if workers involved in the ancillary services labs depend on, like couriers, go on strike?

In a recent example, LifeLabs was able to successfully negotiate with couriers and mail clerks ahead of their intended strike, which would have affected locations in Toronto and the surrounding area, thus circumventing any disruption to lab services.⁶ However, what might labs in the United States do if a courier strike were to occur? Couriers transport specimens, samples, and consumables for laboratories and are responsible for doing so safely and quickly, thus greatly impacting the efficiency and effectiveness of patient care. In many cases, couriers are necessary for transporting patient samples to the lab so testing can occur. As such, it is essential that labs have a plan in case these courier services are disrupted.

What kinds of courier services do laboratories utilize?

Many facilities have unique processes for getting their samples to the lab for testing. Some labs must employ various strategies, like working with local couriers to obtain nearby samples and with national shipping services to procure their out-of-state specimens.

Laboratory director and consultant Lee Kaplan, PhD, FACMG, notes that most of the labs with whom she’s worked utilize UPS or FedEx to get their samples delivered from the place of collection to the lab for testing. She has also worked with a lab that employed their own courier fleet, collecting samples all over the state where the lab was located. Angela Tomei Robinson, MS, MLS (ASCP)CM, says she prefers to work with locally owned courier companies as she enjoys more reliable service and a higher commitment to safety and timely delivery by doing so. However, she admits that, to obtain samples out of the regional area or state, working with national delivery providers is oftentimes necessary.

No matter what strategy labs use, because getting patient specimens to the lab for testing is paramount, having a plan for transporting samples if a lab’s regular processes are disrupted is of the utmost importance.

Courier contingency recommendations

Nevin Sprankle, procurement manager at Lighthouse Lab Services, outlines five things to think about to develop a contingency plan in case of disruption to courier services:

Alternative providers

In the event of a strike or other disruption, the first thing to do is consider alternative solutions. Sprankle encourages labs to be aware of other means of obtaining their samples and materials besides their default couriers and to research which of those companies are involved if a strike does occur. Labs can work with transportation services uninvolved in a strike or use ride-hailing services or local delivery applications to deliver items when appropriate and safe to do so.

Additionally, Sprankle mentions that some couriers specialize in urgent deliveries and oftentimes have contingencies of their own in place to continue operations should a strike or something else disrupt their normal business flow. Furthermore, some labs maintain contracts with alternative courier solutions that are activated only in emergency situations. Other labs may be able to obtain supplies directly from the manufacturer as needed. Temporarily arranging for lab staff or contractors to serve as a transportation team is another potential solution to ensure critical items are moved efficiently.

Collaboration with local laboratories

Collaboration with providers, specimen collection sites, and/or other local labs can also help provide temporary solutions when there is a disruption to courier services, as all of these organizations will be impacted to some degree. This collaboration may also allow a lab to obtain necessary supplies from another nearby lab if they find themselves in short supply when courier services are disrupted.

Inventory management and supply chain diversification

Because a strike may not only impact the lab’s ability to procure samples but also the consumables needed to process those specimens, Sprankle recommends keeping a large stock of critical supplies on hand, especially those that may be difficult to obtain during a strike or other disruption. Additionally, as imminent strikes are oftentimes reported before they begin, placing expedited orders for necessary supplies ahead of a potential strike is a good idea, he says. Having multiple suppliers of critical materials is a great way to mitigate the impact of a courier strike, too. Utilizing international shippers and foreign freight forwarders could be considered as well, as they may not be affected by a domestic strike.

Digital solutions

Given current technology, some tests may be remotely processed and resulted, which Sprankle says would decrease the reliance on transportation services. Evaluating that possibility and releasing results digitally may reduce the need for courier services.

Communication

As with any disruption, communication is key. Sprankle says it’s important to notify the lab’s clients about potential delays or alternative arrangements as early as possible to manage expectations and maintain trust. Being flexible with those clients by offering alternative testing schedules or pick up/drop off times can also show them that the lab is attempting to mitigate the impact of a courier strike.

“By employing a combination of these strategies, a lab can minimize disruptions during a courier strike and continue its operations smoothly,” he says.

Strikes may be unavoidable, but preparedness will diminish their impact

Sprankle explains, “The best piece of advice for someone dealing with courier issues is to immediately prioritize and communicate while simultaneously exploring alternative logistics solutions.”

He offers five steps for labs currently dealing with or planning for a potential disruption to courier services:

Prioritize critical shipments and defer non-urgent deliveries.

Communicate transparently, both with the lab’s staff and the clients served.

Explore alternative solutions detailed in the recommendations above.

Enhance inventory management by auditing stock (this should be done regularly, as well as during an interruption of courier services to prioritize what shipments are critical).

Document the efforts and outcome to plan for future disruptions.

By focusing on communication, alternative solutions, and effective prioritization, labs can reduce the immediate impact of courier disruptions while maintaining critical operations even in the face of something like a courier strike.