A picket line is going up at the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit.
More than 80 nurse practitioners, public health nurses and registered practical nurses have walked off the job after rejecting the employer's latest contract offer Thursday night — money is the main issue.
The Ontario Nurses Association says the health unit has failed to recognize the value of its female professionals.
ONA President Vicki McKenna says male-dominated professions such as police and firefighters receive far better contracts when it comes to wages.
The nurses provide services to nearly 500,000 Windsor-Essex residents.
There is no indication when contract talks will resume and nurses have been without a contract since March, 2018.
The health unit will remain open to the public during the strike.