There is only one week left to fend off a major ports strike that could have a devastating impact on U.S. retailers just as they enter the most important time of year.

The U.S. Department of Labor has reached out to the United States Maritime Alliance ahead of a possible ports strike on the East Coast and Gulf Coast by the International Longshoremen's Association, the employer group said on Monday.

The Virginia Port Authority on Monday released its plan to stop cargo operations next week if a deal cannot be reached between the International Longshoremen’s Union and the United States Maritime

Major ports across the U.S. could shut down if a new agreement between the union that represents tens of thousands of longshoremen and shipping companies isn't reached by October. Tim McNicholas explains what a work stoppage could mean.

The S.C. State Ports Authority is preparing for an expected Oct 1 dockworkers strike by staffing up its container terminals and considering extended gate hours.