The longshoremen’s strike has been paused as New York ports resume operations under a tentative agreement

The longshoremen’s strike has been paused as New York ports resume operations under a tentative agreement

The longshore workers’ strike that brought freight traffic to a halt at the Port of New York and New Jersey and other East Coast ports was paused after officials said the International Longshoremen’s Association reached a tentative wage agreement with the United States Maritime Alliance.

The strike, which had raised concerns about supply chain disruptions for millions of tonnes of goods in the region, has been suspended as both parties continue negotiations over unresolved issues such as protecting jobs through automation. The longshoremen’s union and the United States Maritime Alliance — a group representing port industry employers on the East and Gulf Coasts — have extended their master agreement through Jan. 15, 2025 to allow more time to address these concerns, officials said.

“Over the past few weeks, New York has worked closely with our port facilities, neighboring states and the federal government to prepare for a possible strike at facilities from Maine to Texas,” New York Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement Thursday: “After the International Longshoreman’s Association decided to suspend its strike action during ongoing negotiations, I continue to call on USMX and the ILA to reach an agreement that respects workers’ rights and ensures the continued flow of goods.”

The strike had caused significant disruption, and the ports of New York and New Jersey experienced significant slowdowns in the movement of goods, including food, building materials and vehicles.

The Port Authority did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday. The agency previously said it handled the import of more than 360,000 cars last year.