Ports of Auckland boss Tony Gibson is setting out to replace striking union workers with private contractors on the city's troubled wharves.
In a sign that the long-running dispute between the Ports and the Maritime Union is escalating, Mr Gibson yesterday said he was "absolutely" prepared to replace 330 union jobs with private contractors to get a more flexible workforce.
"This is not a threat," said Mr Gibson, who has run out of patience with the union and strike action.
Union workers at the port began another 48-hour strike at 11pm yesterday, the fifth since November.
The warring parties are due to begin a fresh round of mediation on Thursday with the port company having made a final and non-negotiable offer to the union. A counter-offer by the union failed to deliver the improvements needed in work practices and productivity, Mr Gibson said.