DETROIT (AP) — The union representing 45,000 striking U.S. longshoremen at ports on the East and Gulf Coasts has agreed to suspend a three-day strike until Jan. 15 to buy time to negotiate a new contract.

The union, the International Longshoremen’s Association, should resume work immediately. Both sides also agreed on wages, but no further details were provided, according to a joint statement from the ports and the union on Thursday evening.

The union went on strike early Tuesday after its contract expired in a dispute over pay and the automation of tasks at ports from Maine to Texas. The strike came at the height of the holiday shopping season at 36 ports that handle about half of the cargo on ships entering and leaving the United States.

The strike increased the risk of stock shortages on store shelves if it lasted longer than a few weeks. But most retailers had restocked or shipped items early in anticipation of the work stoppage.

The strike came at the height of the holiday shopping season at 36 ports that handle about half of the cargo on ships entering and leaving the United States.

It increased the risk of stock shortages on store shelves if they lasted longer than a few weeks. But most retailers had restocked or shipped items early in anticipation of the work stoppage.