The union representing 45,000 U.S. dockworkers has reached a tentative agreement following three days of intense negotiations, marking a significant development for workers at the Red Hook Terminal and across the country.

Thursday night, dockworkers gathered at the Red Hook Terminal to celebrate what many view as a positive step forward.

“I love these kids. These are my brothers. We are the hardest working union there is. I love everybody here and I couldn’t be happier. Thank you everyone for supporting us,” said a dockworker.

The recent strike came after the expiration of a contract between the union and the ports, which forced thousands of workers to walk off the job. As a result, 36 ports were shut down. A lot of people went to stores to stock up on items such as toilet paper and home goods, anticipating disruptions in supply chains.

While the details of the new agreement, including wages, are still being finalized, the previous master contract that expired on Sept. 30 will remain in effect until a new agreement is reached.

For now, the strike is temporarily on hold until Jan. 15, 2025, allowing both parties time to negotiate a better contract.