A union representing thousands of city employees, including sanitation workers, has voted to authorize a strike. This doesn't mean they're on strike yet but it allows union leadership to call one if necessary at any time.

The results announced Thursday showed 87% of workers voted in favor of the strike authorization. This does not mean workers are hitting the picket line, however. DC 33 says the vote simply gives union leaders the authority to call a strike at any time. District 33 has vowed to give a 10-day warning about any strike.

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia's largest city workers union has wrapped up a strike authorization vote. However, ballots with the strike authorization voting will be counted on Thursday. District 33 represents at least 9,000 mostly blue-collar employees, including sanitation workers.

AFSCME District Council 33 is the largest union representing Philadelphia employees, covering over 9,000 members including sanitation workers. The union is looking for a long-term deal that includes salary increases while the city is looking for a 1-year contract extension.

Bus, trolley, and transit operators in the city are currently working without a contract. The last contract expired at midnight on Thursday, but union workers held off on a strike as both sides decided to continue negotiations. Meanwhile, on Friday, the union representing suburban transit workers formally voted to authorize a work stoppage.

The union that represents thousands of Philadelphia mass transit system workers has agreed to delay a potential strike, saying progress was being made in ongoing contract talks.