The strike, affecting every major port on the East Coast and Gulf Coast, will potentially cost billions and cripple the United States supply chain. The post A dockworker strike in Boston is looming. Here’s what to know.

The union representing U.S. dockworkers signaled that 45,000 members will walk off the job at midnight, kicking off a massive strike likely to shut down ports across the East and Gulf coasts

The coming work stoppage threatens to significantly snarl the nation's supply chain, potentially leading to higher prices and delays for households and businesses if it drags on for weeks.