The union representing striking U.S. dockworkers has reached a deal to suspend the strike until Jan. 15 to provide time to negotiate a new contract.

U.S. ports from Maine to Texas are closed due to a strike by the union representing about 45,000 dockworkers.

A strike that is potentially just weeks away has the potential to have a weeks if not months-long impact on the U.S. economy.

Determined to thwart the automating of their jobs, about 45,000 dockworkers along the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts are threatening to strike on Oct. 1, a move that would shut down ports that handle about half the nation’s cargo from ships.