(Updates with latest events)

Oct 4 (Reuters) - U.S. East Coast and Gulf ports resumed

operations after unionized dockworkers reached a tentative labor

agreement with an employer group for a new contract, ending a

three-day strike.

The agreement, which was announced on Thursday, includes a

wage hike of around 62% over six years and covers about 45,000

members.

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

May 13, 2024

The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and the

United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) say they will begin

bargaining after May 17 with the goal of forging a new deal

before the 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

Harold Daggett, ILA's president and chief negotiator, says

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

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

negotiations earlier.

Aug. 23, 2024

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

the ILA to resume negotiations.

Sept. 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.

Sept. 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".

Sept. 24, 2024

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

between the two parties.

Sept. 25, 2024

Agriculture groups urge the White House to act to avert the

potential strike.

Sept. 26, 2024

The USMX files an unfair labor practice charge with the

National Labor Relations Board to bring ILA back to the

bargaining table.

Sept. 29, 2024

President Joe Biden says he did not intend to intervene to

prevent a port strike.

Sept. 30, 2024

The USMX raises its offer, says it would increase wages by

nearly 50%, triple employer contributions to employee retirement

plans and strengthen healthcare options. It also requests an

extension of the current master contract to continue bargaining.

Oct. 1, 2024

The ILA starts strike at ports up and down the U.S. East

Coast.

Oct. 3. 2024

The ILA and USMX reach tentative agreement for a new

contract with 62% wage hike over six years.

(Reporting by Anshuman Tripathy, Abhinav Parmar and Harshita

Mary Varghese in Bengaluru; Editing by Lisa Shumaker, Shailesh

Kuber, Sonali Paul and Arun Koyyur)