Operations at Georgia’s ports in Savannah and Brunswick returned to normal on Friday morning as dockworkers resumed work after a three-day strike. The work stoppage, which began earlier in the week when labor negotiations stalled, affected ports along the East and Gulf coasts, including Georgia’s, which are critical hubs for imports and exports.

The strike was called off after a tentative agreement was reached between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance Ltd., which represents shipping companies and port operators. The deal includes a significant wage increase, raising hourly wages by 62% over the next few years, with average pay rising from $39 to more than $63 an hour by 2030. Additional details regarding benefits are still under discussion.

Paul Mosley Sr., a union leader in Savannah, informed workers late Thursday night that the time had come to return to the docks. Shortly afterward, the Georgia Ports Authority reopened its gates, and operations resumed early Friday morning at both the Garden City Terminal and Ocean Terminal in Savannah.

The strike occurred during a critical shipping period as retailers prepare for the holiday season. The disruption posed a risk of supply chain delays, especially for goods typically in high demand. Although some businesses had made early preparations by securing goods ahead of the strike, the work stoppage threatened to worsen existing shortages of certain items.

Despite not being part of the U.S. Maritime Alliance involved in the talks, the Georgia Ports Authority chose to suspend operations when the dockworkers walked off the job. The authority, which manages both the Savannah and Brunswick ports, is now back in full operation. The ILA and the alliance have agreed to continue negotiations on unresolved issues, with a deadline set for January 15.

In a statement, the Georgia Ports Authority expressed gratitude for the patience shown by customers and emphasized its commitment to providing world-class service now that normal operations have resumed at both ports.