Service Employees International Union, or SEIU, Local 73 members voted overwhelmingly Thursday and Friday to authorize a strike.

Ninety one percent of members of SEIU, which represents 800 food and service employees at the University, voted in favor of strike authorization. The union will now assemble a committee with the ability to make a final determination.

With 91 percent of voters voting yes, SEIU lead negotiator Ricky Baldwin hopes this vote will show the University that members “really, really need more.”

“We’re ready to try to reach an agreement with the University, and we hope that they can get serious … we need something to change,” Baldwin said.

When the bargaining team convenes on Feb. 12, Baldwin hopes to make progress.

“If we feel that we’re making progress in negotiations, then we won’t give them the 10-days notice right now,” Baldwin said in regards to the law that requires them to give the University 10 days-notice before striking. “If it looks like they’re going to be stubborn and dig in their heels, then we’re going to have to.”

Austin can be reached at [email protected].