The Costco Teamsters approved a strike if a contract agreement is not met by Jan. 31, when its current deal with the retailer expires. The union represents more than 18,000 employees nationwide. A union representing thousands of Costco employees voted to authorize a strike,

More than 18,000 Costco workers will be walking picket lines in less than two weeks if a labor dispute over wages and benefits is not resolved, according to the Teamsters union. Members voted by an 85% margin to authorize a strike when their current contract expires on Jan. 31, the union announced on Sunday.

Thousand of Costco Teamsters across the U.S. are preparing to strike by the end of the month if the company does not present a "fair contract offer," the union says.