Manufacturers and importers have been rushing in apparel, home goods, and machine parts to avoid having cargo stuck.

U.S. companies that rely on East and Gulf Coast seaports have been importing early, shifting goods to the West Coast, and even putting cargo on pricey flights to hedge against a threatened Oct. 1 strike that could jam supply chains and reignite inflation ahead of the U.

LOS ANGELES/NEW YORK >> U.S. companies that rely on East and Gulf Coast seaports have been importing early, shifting goods to the West Coast, and even putting cargo on pricey flights to hedge against a threatened Oct.

The threatened Oct. 1 strike could jam supply chains and reignite inflation ahead of the U.S. presidential election

U.S. ports along the East and Gulf Coasts are extending delivery hours for importers as they rush to clear cargo ahead of a potential strike by dockworkers on Oct. 1. Ports from New York to Virginia are also working on contingency plans to avoid disruptions after some 45,