The union representing tens of thousands of dockworkers across the US has agreed to suspend its strike while negotiations continue.
Members of the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) walked out on Tuesday at 14 major ports along the east and Gulf Coast, halting container traffic from Maine to Texas.
The union says it has reached a tentative agreement on wages and will go back to work on Friday until 15 January, when they will return to the bargaining table to negotiate "all other outstanding issues".
The action marked the first such shutdown in almost 50 years and threatened to wreak chaos amid the busy holiday shopping season and forthcoming presidential election.
The affected ports included some of the nation's busiest, including in New York, Georgia and Texas. They are estimated by experts to handle more than a third of US imports and exports.
Businesses had been bracing for the possibility of a prolonged shutdown, which threatened to disrupt global trade and the US economy.
Many consumers had been fearful and were stocking up on some supplies, like baby formula and toilet paper.
US President Joe Biden applauded the tentative agreement in a Thursday evening statement, saying it "represents critical progress toward a strong contract".
"I congratulate the dockworkers from the ILA, who deserve a strong contract after sacrificing so much to keep our ports open during the pandemic," Biden said.
"And I applaud the port operators and carriers who are members of the US Maritime Alliance for working hard and putting a strong offer on the table."
Biden noted the need for ports to be open to "ensure the availability of critical supplies" for those hit by Hurricane Helene, which has left more than 200 people dead in the US south-east.
Under the 2018 contract that expired on Monday, dockworkers earned a base hourly wage of $20-$39, as well as other benefits, including royalties linked to container traffic.
Harold Daggett, head of the ILA, demanded companies agree to boost hourly pay by $5 for each year of the contract.
The union, which has about 47,000 active members according to federal filings, is also seeking protections against automation.
Latest Stories
-
Telecel Ghana hosts maiden women 100 Power Connect Networking Event
2 mins -
If PTAs are problematic, ban them – NAGRAT tells government on Free SHS
9 mins -
Brassica Capital announces launch of its Brassica Alpha Fund IPO
13 mins -
Ex-NPP Ashanti Communications Director, 2 others survive near-fatal accident
20 mins -
NPA to introduce credit ratings to curb business risks in petroleum sector
24 mins -
Bawumia assures cocoa farmers of adjustment in producer price for 2024/25 season
39 mins -
50-megawatt solar power plant at Yendi to be ready by November
40 mins -
Nationwide strike won’t solve galamsey challenge – Deputy Education Minister
41 mins -
Hohoe resident ‘given strokes’ for destroying NPP posters
47 mins -
Farmers in Ashanti Region empowered through agroecology innovations
50 mins -
Paramount chief of Lower Axim arrests 3 people from galamsey sites
54 mins -
Ghana to exit default after two years with debt restructuring (Financial Times)
54 mins -
I cannot impose anybody on you – Akufo-Addo tells Ghanaians
59 mins -
Organised Labour should reject Akufo-Addo’s galamsey plea – Ansah-Asare
1 hour -
Akufo-Addo reaffirms commitment to peaceful election
1 hour