LOS ANGELES (AP) &#8212 Members of Hollywood’s film and television writers union have overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike any time after their contract expires at the end of the month.

More than 5,000 members of the Writers Guild of America cast ballots, with 90 percent voting in favor of authorizing the strike, the union said Friday evening. Members voted Thursday.

“Writers do not want to strike, but they are resolute and prepared to take strong, united action to defend our interests,” guild President Patric Verrone said in a news release. “What we must have is a contract that gives us the ability to keep up with the financial success of this ever-expanding global industry.”

Studios and TV networks have accelerated filming and begun stockpiling scripts in case of a strike.