A dock strike, threatened by the International Longshoremen’s Association to start at the end of 2012, was averted at the eleventh hour.  The deadline, however, was only extended as far at 6 Feb 2013 so the problem has not gone away, just been delayed.  If the strike goes ahead it could disrupt US East Coast Port operations  from Maine to Texas. 

However, George Cohen, federal mediator, struck a hopeful note saying: "While some significant issues remain in contention, I am cautiously optimistic that they can be resolved."