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.

Workers at America's largest wholesale retailer may soon go on strike as the corporation has seen profits skyrocket in recent years, union officials said. Costco workers nationwide voted by an overwhelming 85-percent margin to authorize a strike,

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.