Managers at US west coast ports say with a long-running union fight settled, they may be able to deal with an incredible backlog.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union has come to a tentative agreement with the Pacific Maritime Association, which represents employers at west coast ports.

They have agreed to a new five-year labour contract, but it must still be ratified by members.

Details of the tentative contract have not been released, but insiders say it includes a new arbitration system, as well as new pay, healthcare and pension agreements.

A major sticking point for the ILWU and PMA was a dispute over the system used to settle disputes ­between the union and employers.

They deal was reached over the weekend, but low-level industrial action continues.

Workers at the Port of Oakland took their breaks together on Sunday, and their employers dismissed them.

An arbitrator later ruled that the union’s action constituted an illegal work stoppage, and allowed the employers to order new crews for the night shift.

While the stand-off progresses slowly, there are now over 31 ships at anchor waiting to get into the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach had increased.

Dozens more are expected in coming days.

“Just based on the mathematics, it will be about three months before we return to a sense of ­normalcy,” Port of Los Angeles executive director Gene Seroka said.

The stand-off has been going on since last November, when the union stopped sending enough workers. The stoush was amplified in January and February when employers cut evening and weekend shifts.

The issue has had a deep impact on some American businesses.

Farmers could not get produce to Asia, leaving some fruit rotting in containers - car manufacturers had to move new parts by air to keep their plants running – and apparel companies faced fears that they would not get the new season’s products out.