The International Longshoremen’s Association, the union that has been on strike since early Tuesday at ports along the East and Gulf Coasts, and the management group representing shipping lines, terminal operators and port authorities are close to a deal to end the potentially disruptive work stoppage,

Dockworkers along the East coast from Maine to Texas are going back to work Friday after their port strike was suspended, averting a major blow to the US economy and offering relief to shoppers. "The dock workers are going back to work,