SEPTA union workers have voted to authorize a strike.



The vote involved about 5,000 bus drivers, subway operators and other workers. They belong to Transport Workers Local 234, the largest of SEPTA's unions. The members voted unanimously to authorize union leadership to call a strike at SEPTA if necessary.



The group has been working without a contract since spring.



Earlier, Union president Willie Brown told The Philadelphia Inquirer that a strike was all but certain.



He plans a news conference Monday to discuss the vote.



SEPTA spokeswoman Jerri Williams says no strike appears imminent. She says the two sides have continued to negotiate to try to reach a contract agreement.

This story is developing. Stay with NBC10.com for updates.