SAVANNAH, Ga (WSAV) - Thousands of port workers across the country are headed back to work after the International Longshoremen’s Association and the U.S. Maritime Alliance reached a tentative agreement on higher wages, ending a three- day strike. Hyundai Metaplant has started production ahead of schedule Port workers in Savannah hit the picket lines early Tuesday morning, demanding higher wages, better benefits, and limits on automation. President of ILA Local 1414, Paul Mosely told News 3 he's glad to be back to work. “I'm feeling relief,” Mosley said. “I'm ecstatic that my members are able to go back to work. I’m ecstatic that we came up with a tentative agreement as fast as we have.” Mosely said he is satisfied with the tentative agreement as far as the increase in wages. Dockworkers will receive a pay increase of around 62%. He said dockworkers deserve it as they are constantly working hard, putting their lives on the line to keep the country running. “With jobs, you can get a paper cut,” Mosley explained. “You put a band-aid on it, you go home. We have individuals when you get hurt down here, it is life changing. You can lose an arm. You can lose a leg. Nine times out of ten, a paramedic is transporting you off and it may be a life altering situation.” The ILA suspended the strike until Jan. 15, 2025, to provide time to negotiate a new contract. The union and the Maritime Alliance will discuss automation, which the union says will lead to fewer jobs. "I know in these upcoming negotiations with a few issues that we are trying to work on far as automation and a few other things,” said Mosley. “I know we're going to be in a good place.” He continued, “At the end of the day, all of us, the women and the men and women that work in this building and work throughout the craft of ILA, throughout this whole East Coast of this whole United States, we here to take care of our families. That’s all we want to do.” Until Jan.15, workers will be covered under the previous contract, which expired on Sept 30.