FREDERICTON -- The union representing academic staff at the University of New Brunswick says its members have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action to back contract demands.

The Association of University of New Brunswick Teachers says 90 per cent of its members on four campuses have voted to give the union a strike mandate.

The union represents more than 1,000 full-time and contract academic staff and librarians in Fredericton, Saint John, Moncton and Bathurst.

President Miriam Jones says members are hopeful the strike mandate delivers a strong message to the employer.

Wages and workload are the main issues.

Jones says members are looking to be treated the same as their peers at other institutions.