International Longshoremen's Association suspends ports strike until January - BBC NewsBBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountHomeNewsSportEarthReelWorklifeTravelCultureFutureMusicTVWeatherSoundsMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportEarthReelWorklifeTravelCultureFutureMusicTVWeatherSoundsClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warWar in UkraineClimateVideoWorldUS & CanadaUKBusinessTechMoreScienceEntertainment & ArtsHealthIn PicturesBBC VerifyWorld News TVNewsbeatUS & CanadaUS dockworkers suspend ports strike until JanuaryImage source, EPAChristal HayesBBC News, Los Angeles João da SilvaBusiness reporterPublished4 October 2024Updated 4 October 2024The 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 coasts, 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."Effective immediately, all current job actions will cease and all work covered by the Master Contract will resume," said a joint statement by the ILA and the employers' group - United States Maritime Alliance (USMX).Under the tentative agreement, wages would go up by 62% over the next six years, BBC News understands.But negotiations will continue over a number of outstanding issues, including automation.The union had been calling for a 77% wage hike, while USMX had previously increased its pay rise offer to almost 50%.The BBC has contacted the ILA and USMX for comment.“The short ILA strike... will surely be ranked as one of the most lucrative 3 days in labour-management history," said Patrick L Anderson, CEO of business consultancy Anderson Economic Group."The ILA workers have apparently gained 60% wage increases after giving up 3 days of work in a strike that inflicted no serious damage on the US economy."German shipping group Hapag-Lloyd told Reuters on Friday that it could take three to four weeks to make up for the strike-related vessel backlog in US ports.The strike started on Tuesday after negotiations failed to produce a new six-year contract.The walkout was the ILA's first major stoppage since 1977.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.US President Joe Biden applauded the tentative agreement in a statement on Thursday evening, 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.The news that the stoppage had been suspended was also welcomed by business owners.“The decision to end the current strike and allow the East and Gulf coast ports to reopen is good news for the nation’s economy," said Matthew Shay, president and CEO of the National Retail Federation in a statement.Businesses had been bracing for the possibility of a prolonged shutdown, which threatened to disrupt global trade and the US economy.Some firms had been building up supplies as warnings of the strike circulated over the summer.Many consumers had also been fearful and were stocking up on some supplies, like baby formula and toilet paper.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.Related topicsUnited StatesStrike actionMore on this storyUS ports strike causes first shutdown in 50 yearsPublished1 October 2024From bananas to baby milk, port strike raises fears of shortagesPublished3 October 2024'I'm not playing games' on port strikes, union boss saysPublished2 October 2024Top storiesLive. Trump calls Zelensky a 'dictator' as he hits back at 'disinformation' criticism'I'll be back', Israeli hostage told family - who were then killedPublished5 hours agoHuge sinkhole swallows up more of Surrey streetPublished22 minutes agoMore to exploreFact-checking Trump claims about war in UkraineHow a plan to land £100m of cocaine on a Highland beach went wrongGay kiss 'furore' to domestic violence: How EastEnders shattered taboosWatch: Trump and Musk discuss conflict of interestsJonathan Bailey's new character 'Succession inspired'Even in his final seconds of life, first gay imam pushed boundariesUS Politics Unspun: As Trump starts his second term, cut through the noise with Anthony Zurcher's newsletterJeremy Bowen: No sign of a quick peace dividend for Trump in UkraineFacing Islamist threats, Bangladesh girls forced to cancel football matchesElsewhere on the BBCExploring the world deep beneath our feetBrian Cox and Robin Ince journey to the centre of the Earth with help from scientists and comediansDiscovering the hidden gems of the Lake DistrictEllie Harrison, Chris Hollins and Denise Lewis explore the Cumbrian landscapeThe tale of a billionaire family, stolen relics and fake treasureA scholar turned sleuth hunts stolen relics, exposing a scandal of biblical proportionsCelebrating EastEnders finest musical momentsShaun Williamson - aka Barry - dives into the archives to celebrate 40 years of Walford warblersMost read1First pharaoh's tomb found in Egypt since Tutankhamun's2Huge sinkhole swallows up more of Surrey street3Stage kiss shouldn't make 1975 members liable - lawyer4Woman accused of killing child in 1978 bath scald5Raducanu targeted by man 'exhibiting fixated behaviour'6Man guilty over £1.38m watch heist in London7Fact-checking Trump claims about war in Ukraine8'I'll be back', Israeli hostage told family - who were then killed9How a plan to land £100m of cocaine on a Highland beach went wrong10Kabul evacuation whistleblower wins unfair dismissal caseBBC News ServicesOn your mobileOn smart speakersGet news alertsContact BBC NewsHomeNewsSportEarthReelWorklifeTravelCultureFutureMusicTVWeatherSoundsTerms of UseAbout the BBCPrivacy PolicyCookiesAccessibility HelpParental GuidanceContact the BBCBBC emails for youAdvertise with usCopyright © 2025 BBC. 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I’m sure this is unrelated to it being revealed that the leader of the strike is a Trump supporter and met with him at Mar-a-lago