Sept 27 (Reuters) - Talks between the International

Longshoremen's Association (ILA), which represents 45,000 port

workers, and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) employer

group appear deadlocked on wage issues ahead of a Sept. 30

deadline to reach a new contract deal.

The union, which represents dockworkers across 36 ports on

the U.S. East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico, threatens to strike

on Oct. 1. If its members walk off the job at ports stretching

from Maine to Texas, it would be the first coast-wide ILA strike

since 1977.

The affected ports process more than half of U.S. ocean

trade and a widespread work stoppage would upend transportation

schedules, delay goods for across a broad swath of industries

and send shipping costs higher. All of that could mean shortages

and higher costs for consumers.

Here's a brief rundown of events leading up to the potential

strike:

May 13, 2024

The ILA and the USMX say they will begin bargaining after

May 17 with the goal of forging a new deal before the current

six-year contract expires on Sept. 30.

June 10, 2024

The ILA halts negotiations amid disputes related to

automation, after discovering that operator APM's terminals and

container shipping company Maersk Line were using an Auto Gate

system that processes trucks without labor.

June 11, 2024

The USMX says some issues will require further conversation

between the local parties, adding that it looks forward to

re-engage with the bargaining committee.

July 12, 2024

ILA President and chief negotiator Harold Daggett says the

threat of an Oct. 1 strike is growing after the violation of its

contract by some of USMX members, which caused it to cancel

negotiations earlier.

August 23, 2024

The USMX says it has been unable to secure a meeting with

the ILA to resume negotiations.

September 5, 2024

Nearly 300 ILA delegates end their two-day wage scale

meetings with unanimous support for President Daggett's call for

an Oct. 1 strike if an agreement is not reached.

September 23, 2024

The ILA says it has held multiple conversations with the

USMX in recent weeks and adds that a stalemate remains over

wages, with the employer group continuing to offer "an

unacceptable wage increase package."

September 24, 2024

The White House says it will not try to broker a deal

between the two parties.

September 25, 2024

Agriculture groups urge the White House to act to avert the

potential strike.

September 26, 2024

The USMX files an unfair labor practice charge with the

National Labor Relations Board to bring ILA back to the

bargaining table.