The world’s No. 2 container carrier urged customers to remove cargo from East and Gulf Coast ports in the U.S. to avoid the possible strike.

Facing a mid-January deadline to reach a deal, the planned talks are a welcome sign for shippers bracing for a labor disruption that would shut every major port on the U.S. East and Gulf coasts.

TORONTO — Workers at Canada’s national postal service are on strike after failing to reach a negotiated agreement with Canada Post.

Two terminals operated by Termont Montreal that account for about 40% of the port’s container handling capacity have been closed since Oct. 31 after unionized dockworkers walked off the job

Dock employers in British Columbia shut out workers Nov. 4 after a union’s strike notice, bringing trade to a halt across Canada’s busiest and third-busiest ports.

Ports are reopening Oct. 4, and the ILA and USMX will restart negotiations on a long-term agreement, which will include a pay increase of about 62%.

According to the Congressional Research Service, about half the time that presidents have invoked Section 206 of Taft-Hartley, the parties worked out their differences.

U.S. dockworkers at ports along the East and Gulf Coasts began their first major strike in decades Oct. 1 in a move that threatens to have downstream impacts on trucking.

Growers already have been struggling with declining farm incomes because of high input costs, global competition and low commodity prices.

Pete Buttigieg, Julie Su and Lael Brainard are reportedly urging the United States Maritime Alliance to get to the bargaining table.