Days after thousands of dockworkers went out on one of the biggest strikes in decadesthe union announced a tentative agreement on wages Thursday and extended a deadline for bargaining.
“The International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd. have reached a tentative agreement on wages,” the union and the alliance said in a joint statement.
The contract was extended until Jan. 15, it said, and the strike will end for now.
“Effective immediately, all current job actions will cease and all work covered by the Master Contract will resume,” the union said.
The International Longshoremen’s Association, known as the ILA, argued that big global cargo carriers have raked in huge profits since pandemic-era supply-chain snags drove up freight rates, and that workers haven’t sufficiently shared in those gains.
The United States Maritime Alliance, or USMX, represents major ocean freight and port operators.
The union also sought limits on automation at ports. The joint statement only mentions wages.
The strike began at midnight Monday, going into Tuesday.
The work stoppage involved ports from Maine to Texas. The governors of New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Maryland were among those calling for a swift resolution to the labor dispute.
President Joe Biden said on Sunday that he had spoken to both sides and believes in collective bargaining, and earlier Thursday said that progress was being made in talks.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
