Representatives with the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) reportedly met in secret two days before official talks were scheduled to resume, in hopes of coming to an agreement on the use of automation at ports ahead of a January 15 strike deadline. 

CNBC reports that ILA and USMX leaders deliberated for eight hours behind closed doors on January 5. Among those in attendance were ILA president Harold Daggett and USMX CEO Paul Demaria, as well as several representatives from East and Gulf Coast ports where automated technology has already been implemented.

Read More: Can U.S. Ports Find Middle Ground on Automation Before Second Strike?

Sources told CNBC that the discussions largely centered around hammering out language surrounding automation to streamline discussions once official negotiations resumed on January 7. Part of that included a proposal that would allow the ILA to add union workers to complement any new automated technology, as well as a commitment from both sides to make use of technology that makes operators more efficient and productive. That said, it also created new concerns for the USMX over added labor costs, as well as questions over the necessity of creating new jobs as technology is introduced at ports.

If the two sides can't come to an agreement by January 15, companies are bracing for widespread impacts across retail, automotive, electronics and agriculture sectors. Automation has been a sticking point since negotiations began, with the ILA vowing to oppose any deal that leaves the door open to the technology, while the USMX has insisted that automation is a critical part of ensuring that U.S. shipping hubs can continue to grow and evolve.