Dockworkers' Union To Suspend Strike Until Jan. 15 To Allow Time To Negotiate New Contract

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 03: Port Everglades dockworkers continue their picket near the entrance to the port three days after the union and management failed to reach a consensus on a new labor contract on October 03, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The workers joined with tens of thousands of others on the East and Gulf Coast ports to strike after the International Longshoremen's Association and the US Maritime Alliance, which represents dozens of East and Gulf Coast ports, failed to reach a new labor agreement. Joe Raedle via Getty Images DETROIT — The union representing 45,000 striking U.S. dockworkers at East and Gulf coast ports reached a deal Thursday to suspend a three-day strike until Jan. 15 to provide time to negotiate a new contract. The temporary end to the strike came after the union and the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies, reached a tentative agreement on wages, the union and ports said in a joint statement. In a statement later, Biden applauded both sides “for acting patriotically to reopen our ports and ensure the availability of critical supplies for Hurricane Helene recovery and rebuilding.” ILA and USMX joint statement on pausing dockworkers strike and extending current contract until January 15 pic.twitter.com/0x2k3ldGgH — Michael Sainato October 3, 2024 Biden said that collective bargaining is “critical to building a stronger economy from the middle out and the bottom up.” The union’s membership won’t need to vote on the temporary suspension of the strike, meaning that giant cranes should start loading and unloading shipping containers Thursday night.