SEATTLE -- Boeing machinists have voted yes to go on strike if they don’t get the contract they want in September when their current contract ends.

The strike sanction passes as 99 percent of the members voted yes, said spokeswoman Connie Kelliher of the International Association of Machinists.

Workers are not voting to strike. They're voting to show they're willing to call for a strike in a couple months if they're not happy with the contract Boeing offers them.

Machinist Ray Hawkinson said he and his co-workers haven't had a pay increase in four years and he wants that to change with this contract.

He’s also concerned about the new workers who are being hired for $11.32 an hour.

"They start 'em out lower than anyplace out there, so they have a hard time even keeping new hires around," Hawkinson said.

A Boeing spokesman told KIRO 7 that he agrees new machinists are paid below market value and that's something Boeing is addressing in this new contract.

He said the company is optimistic they'll be able to reach a fair agreement -- in part because they've already been in discussions with the union.

Since the last contract in 2005, Boeing stock and plane orders are up dramatically even though the rest of the economy is faltering.

"We realize times are tough. Give us a fair shake," said Boeing machinist Dennis Van Hoy.

Workers said it’s too early to say if it will come to a strike.