BURNABY — The BC General Employees Union says dairy milk testers in the province have started job action.

The union says it represents dairy production technicians employed by Lactanet, and they began a strike on Tuesday following 20 months of contract talks.

The workers collect samples of dairy milk produced by about 175 herds across B.C. for testing at the Lactanet lab in Chilliwack, B.C., and the union says they're seeking increases to mileage compensation.

It says the farms are sometimes up to 100 kilometres away but the testers are currently paid 41 cents per kilometre for using their personal vehicles, lower than the 72 cents per kilometre the Canada Revenue Agency provides as a guideline for tax purposes.

Lactanet did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The union

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