Burlington teachers have voted to authorize a strike beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 13 if a contract settlement with the school board cannot be reached before that date.

Fran Brock, president of the Burlington Education Association (BEA), announced the results of the vote at a 5 P.M. press conference on Thursday, Sept. 7.

“We don’t want to strike; no one ever does. What we want is for this school board to recognize our determination for a contract that works to keep the very best teachers so our city’s children can thrive,” Brock read from a statement.

This decision follows the Burlington school board’s 9-1 vote on Friday, Sept. 1 to impose a contract on Burlington teachers.

The union voted to strike last fall, but a last ditch negotiations session deal was reached.

This story will be updated.