Union drivers who deliver the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and The Seattle Times from presses to distribution centres have voted to strike, a move that is sure to hurt both struggling newspapers, the Seattle P-I reported.

About 70 Teamsters union drivers voted on Sunday to strike after negotiating with The Seattle Times Co. for 10 months. The strike could begin as early as Oct. 21.

In November 2007, The Seattle Times announced it was looking to outsource the trucking to Penske Logistics Inc. to lower costs. The deal came to a halt in July when the union rejected Penske's terms, the Seattle P-I reported.

“If they implement that wage cut, there will be a strike,” said Patty Warren, business agent for the Teamsters Local 174 union.

The union and The Seattle Times are scheduled to meet today to negotiate further.