WINDSOR, ONT.—A group of public-health nurses in southwestern Ontario are heading back to the picket line after rejecting their employer’s “final” offer.

The 86 nurses from the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit have been on strike since March 8.

The bargaining unit president for Ontario Nurses’ Association Local 8 says members roundly voted down the health unit’s latest offer Wednesday.

Barb Deter says in a news release the employer hasn’t offered “meaningful improvements” in the contract negotiations.

She called the health unit’s latest offer “disrespectful,” and said it wouldn’t cover this year’s cost-of-living increases.

Theresa Marentette, CEO of Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, expressed disappointment with the vote’s outcome in a statement Wednesday, saying the final offer contained an increase over a previous proposal.

“The offer on the table was fair to our public health nurses, while at the same time responsible, in light of the very real cost pressures we are facing due to the growing demand for services in our region,” said Marentette.

“Despite the ongoing labour disruption, management is doing everything it can to ensure that essential services are delivered to the community.”

More than 80 nurse practitioners, public-health nurses and registered practical nurses in ONA Local 8 voted against a tentative agreement earlier this month.