The union representing over 45,000 East Coast and Gulf Coast dockworkers and a group of employers will resume negotiations next month toward reaching a new six-year contract ahead of a Jan. 15 deadline, it said on Friday.

The International Longshoremen's Association union agreed to end a three-day strike on Oct. 3 after agreeing to a 62% wage increase over six years with the United States Maritime Alliance group of employers, following the authoritative involvement of the White House and other Biden administration officials.

The work stoppage was the first major strike in East and Gulf Coast ports in nearly 50 years, briefly halting the flow of over half of the country's ocean shipping.

The negotiations, with committees meeting in New Jersey next month, aim to "voice the terms that can be presented to the workers for ratification," both sides said in a joint statement.

Together, they said they want a new contract as soon as possible, but would not comment on potential issues before resuming negotiations.

The key open issue remains the use of automation in the ports, officials told Reuters. The Biden administration is concerned about the prospect of a new work stoppage next year, a senior official said.

The union previously demanded the employer group stop port auto