A tentative agreement was made last month between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd. (USMX), suspending the ILA’s three-day strike until January 15. The union initially went on strike early Tuesday, October 1, after its contract expired, in a dispute over wages and the use of automation at ports.

The ILA and USMX are scheduled to resume talks this month, both acknowledging their commitment to the negotiation process. Concerns remain, however, over the potential for a second strike causing some major retailers and logistics companies to redirect cargo to West Coast ports.

USply will monitor this issue into the new year and bring you updates as they become available.