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OMAHA, Neb. — The flurry of contract agreements announced this fall offers evidence that railroads and their unions are working to avoid the standoffs that led them to a brink of a strike in 2022.

The U.S. dockworkers union that halted cargo at every major port on the country’s eastern and southern coasts last month has called off talks with their employers over automation.

Dockworkers are set to meet with their employers in New Jersey, resuming negotiations on the key issue of automation that sparked a three-day strike at East and Gulf Coast ports last month.

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.

Arne Meiswinkel, the automaker’s chief negotiator, said the plan includes a 10% pay cut and revised bonus system. The measures aim to strengthen the VW brand.

The union representing dockworkers in East Coast ports is set to return to the bargaining table next month, part of an arrangement reached after a three-day strike was suspended Oct. 3.

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.

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