Philadelphia’s largest union for city workers, AFSCME District Council 33, voted Thursday to authorize a strike, and public services could be affected if leadership directs employees to walk off their jobs.

Philadelphia's largest municipal employee union, District Council 33, has voted to authorize a strike against the city.

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.