Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service George Cohen said in a statement late that the tentative agreement reflected "good faith negotiations."
A strike of the union representing nearly 15,000 dockworkers would have brought container cargo operations to a halt at 15 ports along the Eastern seaboard and Gulf Coast, marking the first such work stoppage in 35 years.
"The tentative agreement is subject to the ratification procedures of both parties and, as well, to agreements being achieved in a number of local union negotiations. Those local negotiations are ongoing and will continue without interruption to any port operation," Cohen said.
He did not give out details on the agreement, citing confidentiality policies. (Reuters)
