The International Longshoremen's Association reached an agreement Wednesday on a new master labor contract with the United States Maritime Alliance, averting a strike at U.S. east coast and gulf coast ports.

The International Longshoremen’s Association reached a tentative agreement late Wednesday on a new, six-year contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance, the group representing port operators

An agreement that includes automation job protections will avoid disruptive port strikes that could have erupted as early as next week.