The more than 18,000 Costco Wholesale employees represented by the Teamsters union voted overwhelmingly to authorize a nationwide strike should they not reach a new labor agreement by the end of the month.

With a master agreement with the Teamsters set to expire in 10 days, affecting 18,000 of the retailer's workers, hundreds last week held practice pickets.

Teamsters for Costco Wholesale voted to authorize a strike ahead of an agreement ending on Jan. 31, the union group announced.

Costco Teamsters nationwide have voted by an 85% margin to authorize a strike on Feb. 1 if its labor dispute over fair wages and benefits is not resolved. The Costco Teamsters National Master Agreement, covering more than 18,000 Costco workers, expires on Jan. 31.

The Costco Teamsters National Master Agreement, which covers more than 18,000 workers nationwide, expires on January 31.

Thousands of Costco workers are gearing up to walk the picket lines. Over 18,000 union workers voted to authorize a strike when their current contract expires on Jan. 31. The workers are asking for better wages and benefits.

In pursuit of increased wages and renegotiated employee benefits, more than 18,000 Costco union members nationwide voted to authorize a strike if the wholesale company doesn't agree to their terms by Jan.