LYNDHURST, NJ. — After months of negotiations, the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) agreed to a new six-year contract on Jan. 8.

The most recent, tentative contract agreed to in October 2024, was set to expire on Jan. 15. Both sides agreed to operate under the existing contract until the new one is ratified.

“This agreement protects current ILA jobs and establishes a framework for implementing technologies that will create more jobs while modernizing East and Gulf Coast ports – making them safer and more efficient, and creating the capacity they need to keep our supply chains strong,” according to a joint statement. “This is a win-win agreement that creates ILA jobs, supports American consumers and businesses, and keeps the American economy the key hub of the global marketplace.”

No additional details on the agreement were provided, as both sides wanted members of ILA and USMX to approve the final documents.

The ILA represents 45,000 dock workers and 36 ports in the United States along the East and Gulf Coast.

The US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) praised the news and said it would help meat exports continue moving worldwide.

“This tentative contract agreement is great news for red meat exporters and for all of US agriculture,” said Dan Halstrom, president and chief executive officer of USMEF. “The assurance that there will be no work stoppage at East and Gulf Coast ports eliminates a cloud of uncertainty and bolsters the US industry’s reputation as a reliable supplier of pork, beef and lamb. On behalf of USMEF’s membership, I want to thank the ILA and USMX for reaching this agreement and ensuring the continued movement of cargo.”

The October tentative agreement came after a three-day strike by dockworkers but did not include a new contract until the most recent announcement. The strike was the first for the East Coast since 1977.