Unionized crew members who work aboard Matson Navigation Co.’s trans-Pacific cargo ships have authorized their union to call a strike if a contract agreement is not reached.

Employees of three unions, including captains, first mates and navigators, are covered by the contract that expires at midnight tomorrow.
The union members yesterday voted in favor of the strike authorization a move intended to give the workers leverage in their contract negotiations with the company.
Company officials said they were hopeful a deal could be worked out.
"Matson feels that there is still sufficient time remaining to work out an agreement," according to a statement from the company.
The next round of contract negotiations is set for tomorrow morning in San Francisco, said Charles Khim, a lawyer representing the union members.
Matson is the state’s largest shipping company, carrying about two-thirds of the containerized freight shipped to Hawai’i. About 80 percent of all goods sold in Hawai’i come via ship.