Here in Charlotte my wife and her friend skipped one packed Costco and went to a second Costco to buy supplies for a charity going to western North Carolina. We just assumed the crazy frenzy was procuring supplies for people up that way. Now I think it might have been what you just posted - panic buying.
Sounds like they will suspend the strike to allow time to bargain until Jan. Probably a good PR move by both sides with the need for supplies for hurricane victims.