SEATTLE, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Over 3,000 Academic Student Employees at the University of Washington (UW) have voted to authorize their bargaining team to strike as they continue talks over a new contract.

The employees voted overwhelmingly in favor of a possible strike, with over 99% of voters agreeing.

Their current bargaining agreement expires April 30, and the employees said they hope this vote shows the UW administration how frustrated they are with the University’s delays and lack of meaningful proposals.

They cite their colleagues at other universities such as Washington State University (WSU) – who secured their first contract in January that guarantees a base pay rate nearly $500 more per month than UW is currently paying – as proof the school is falling behind industry standards.