Members of the Gateway teachers’ union Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to authorize its leaders to call a strike if contract talks with the district continue to flounder.

The Gateway Education Association confirmed the results of a strike authorization vote Tuesday afternoon. The union voted 238 in favor and two against striking, as 99 percent of union members voted in favor of the authorization.

President Mark Spinola said the vote does not mean a strike is imminent, but could happen if the sides do not make progress on contract negotiations that have been ongoing since January 2017.The union’s four-year contract expired in August 2017.

“It doesn’t mean a strike is happening right now, but it gives consent,” president Mark Spinola said. “It was our members saying, ‘We’re with you, we agree with you the offer from the district is unacceptable and they haven’t bargained in good faith.’”

The district has canceled four of the 18 scheduled meetings since negotiations began, Mr. Spinola said. 

Gateway School District Superintendent William Short did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The union represents more than 200 teachers in the Gateway School District,

The union would have to provide at least 48 hours notice before striking.

First Published: March 20, 2018, 10:42 p.m.