Automation at U.S. ports on the East and Gulf Coasts tends to lag behind that at the West Coast, Asian and European ports.

The deadline for negotiations between the union representing dockworkers and the ports is next week.

That includes longshoremen who unload container ships, warehouse workers who store the goods and restaurant servers who feed them all.

Stung by supply chain breakdowns and worried about labor unrest, many shippers have rerouted goods to the Gulf of Mexico and East Coast.

As congestion eases at some ports, “we know the fixed date of when freight is arriving now,” said customs broker Gretchen Blough.

The Port of Oakland wants to shorten the stays of shipping containers at its marine terminals.

The introduction of shipping containers half a century ago revolutionized the industry, and union strategy.

Experts point to inefficiency, lack of warehouse space and outdated technology.

From the shipping slowdown in China to the excess of inventory on hand, there are a number of likely reasons for the drop.

The White House has pushed changes at ports to fix supply chains and ease prices, but high demand for goods continues to exert pressure.