East Coast Port Strike Avoided

The East Coast Longshoreman's Union had been threatening to go on strike this Sunday to object to, among other things, shipping companies push to reduce or freeze container royalties that go to workers.  Today, however, the FMCS's George Cohen announced that the parties have seemed to reach a breakthrough on that issue and have agreed to extend their contract for 30 days to work out a deal.  As Steven Greenhouse's article points out, President Obama is probably as happy as anyone because he can now avoid the decision to either enjoin the strike and tick off labor supporters, or let the strike continue and possibly harm the economy.

-JH