Some 45,000 dockworkers at East and Gulf coast ports are returning to work after their union reached a deal to suspend a strike that could have caused shortages and higher prices if it had dragged

At least 25,000 dockworkers across 14 ports along the East and Gulf coasts in the U.S. can return to work amid a tentative agreement made on wages that would extend their current contract until Jan. 15.

Key Takeaways U.S. dockworkers agreed to suspend their strike until Jan. 15, after reaching a tentative agreement with port operators on wages. An estimated 45,000 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association went on strike earlier this week,