THE union representing 45,000 striking US dockworkers at east and Gulf coast ports reached a deal on Thursday to suspend a three-day strike until January 15 to provide time to negotiate a new contract.

The union, the International Longshoremen’s Association, agreed for their members to resume working immediately. 

The temporary end to the strike came after the union and the US Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies, reached a tentative agreement on wages, the union and employers said in a joint statement.