The union representing 45,000 striking U.S. dockworkers at East and Gulf coast ports has reached a deal to suspend a three-day strike until Jan. 15 to provide time to negotiate a new contract.

DETROIT (AP) — The union representing 45,000 striking U.S. dockworkers at East and Gulf coast ports has reached a deal to suspend their strike until Jan. 15 to provide time to negotiate a new contract, a person briefed on the matter says.

Dockworkers at US East and Gulf coast ports have agreed to start moving cargo again while they continue collective bargaining with their employers on a new contract, the union representing the workers said in a statement Thursday.