Thousands of dockworkers on the East Coast and Gulf Coast will return to work after reaching a tentative agreement on wages, ending one of the biggest work stoppages in decades.

In a joint statement, the United States Maritime Alliance, or USMX, and the International Longshoreman’s Association said the two sides have an agreement to extend their current labor contract through Jan. 15 and continue to negotiate.

“The International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime…