Contract talks are set to resume next week between the union representing East and Gulf Coast dockworkers and the United States Maritime Alliance.

According to reports, new contract negotiations are expected to begin ahead of the Jan. 15 deadline. If a contract isn’t reached by then, the International Longshoremen’s Association could call a strike.

A dockworker strike would jar the U.S. and world economy, increasing shortages and prices of consumer goods.

Dockworkers on the East and Gulf coasts briefly went on strike in October, the first labor stoppage of its kind since the late 1970s. However, any long-term economic impact from the strike was averted after the union reached a tentative pay deal with the U.S. Maritime Alliance.

The agreement, reached in part with the help of the Biden White House, provided for a 62% wage increase over six years but kicked the deadline for the master contract to Jan. 15.

The dockworkers’ union is mostly concerned with the shadow of automation, with union negotiators demanding a stop to the dissemination of automated cranes. On the other side, the U.S. Maritime Alliance wants the technology expanded to increase productivity. The cranes in question are active only in Virginia and New Jersey ports.

The looming strike comes as President-elect Donald Trump is set to reenter the Oval Office on Jan. 20. A dockworkers’ strike could put a damper on the incoming administration’s economic plans by increasing prices.

Mr. Trump has voiced his support for the dockworkers’ union, coming out in favor of limiting automation.

• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.