The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) have signed a new six-year master contract, officially ending a months-long back-and-forth fight over wages and automation at East and Gulf Coast ports. 

The contract was signed on March 11, according to a joint release from the ILA and USMX, and was praised by both sides as a "win-win" deal that protects union jobs, while establishing a framework for introducing new technologies to U.S. ports in the years to come. The agreement reportedly includes "full protections against automation" for ILA workers, accelerated wage raises for newly-hired union employees, and improvements to health care coverage and vacation policies. 

“This agreement received unanimous support from our USMX membership and furthers our mission to create modern and safe working conditions across the industry, while continuing to focus on enhancing strong and efficient supply chains to ensure American companies can access the global marketplace,” said USMX executive vice president and lead negotiator Paul De Maria. 

The ILA and USMX came to terms on a tentative deal on January 8, a week before the deadline for a strike at East and Gulf Coast ports. Nearly 99% of ILA rank-and-file members then voted in favor of ratifying the contract on February 25, before the two sides made it official two weeks later.