There is the possibility of a strike once the contract lapses, with unionized workers objecting to the addition of new technologies to U.S. ports that they say could ultimately cause job losses.

A trio of President Joe Biden’s aides are meeting with representatives of ocean carriers and terminal operators Friday with the aim of averting a strike that could shutter every major container port on the US Atlantic and Gulf coasts — while also signaling the White House won’t intervene to force workers back to the docks if they walk out.

Top Biden administration officials are meeting Friday afternoon with port operators ahead of a possible strike at East and Gulf coast ports, with the union contract expiring after Monday