The East Coast cargo stoppage could cause price hikes and snarl up industries from produce to liquor to electronics if it drags on too long, according to observers.

The last ILA strike on the East Coast, in 1977, ended after 44 days. In 2002, President George W. Bush invoked the Taft-Hartley Act to halt a management lockout of West Coast port workers. Port operator Enstructure wrote last week they'd "continue to provide support services for our customers until regular operations resume."

I brought Gizmo, my 10-pound Yorkipoo, during one strike at the Baltimore Sun. His sign said, “Only dogs should accept bones.” I had savings to get me through that strike. I thought about that with port workers on strike for higher pay and job security.

Both sides said in a statement that they would extend their master contract until January 15, 2025 to return to the bargaining table to negotiate all outstanding issues.

The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) has reached a deal to suspend its strike until January, according to a joint statement released on Thursday. The statement by the ILA and the United States Maritime Alliance,

Companies sweeten contract offer to a 62% wage increase to reopen ports from Maine to Texas

The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) union and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX), an association of companies that operate East and Gulf Coast ports, reached a tentative agreement Thursday to end a two-day strike.