The union representing adjunct faculty and members at Dobbs Ferry-based Mercy College says there will be a strike if a fair first contract is not reached before the end of the semester.

The union represents over 700 employees, and says the vote to authorize a strike was overwhelming.

After over two and a half years of negotiations, some tentative agreements have been reached. But there is no agreement on key economic and job security issues.

A college spokesperson tells News 12 that both parties met Wednesday to exchange counter proposals and hope to avoid a strike or any type of disruption to the spring term.

They are optimistic that the authorization vote does not mean a strike is imminent.

They have scheduled a series of meetings for later this month.