(KTLA) – Thousands of Costco workers nationwide voted Sunday to authorize a strike if a contract is not reached by the end of the month.

The authorization was approved by an 85% margin due to Costco’s “failure to bargain constructively and refusal to present a fair contract offer that reflects the company’s record-breaking profits,” the International Brotherhood of Teamsters stated.

The current agreement, which covers more than 18,000 Costco workers, expires on Jan. 31.

“Our members have spoken loud and clear Costco must deliver a fair contract, or they’ll be held accountable,” Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien said. “Costco’s greedy executives have less than two weeks to do the right thing. If they refuse, they’ll have no one to blame but themselves when our members go on strike.”

The Teamsters state that Costco posted a 135% increase in net profits since 2018 but has refused to meet its demands for “fair wages and benefits.”

Strike authorization votes are often used as a negotiation tactic by unions and does not mean there will be a strike.

Costco has not issued a statement regarding the vote authorization.