The union representing 45,000 striking U.S. dockworkers at East and Gulf Coast ports has reached a deal to suspend a three-day strike until Jan. 15 to provide time to negotiate a new contract.

The union representing 45,000 striking U.S. dockworkers at East and Gulf coast ports has reached a deal to suspend their strike until Jan. 15 to provide time to negotiate a new contract, a person briefed on the matter says.

Thursday evening members of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1408 were excited about the tentative agreement.