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The union representing striking maritime workers says it cannot rule out bringing in a third party to try and break the deadlock over the contracts dispute with the Ports of Auckland.
More than 250 workers walked off the job today bringing the country's largest port to a virtual halt.
The dock workers at the Ports of Auckland rejected a late management offer and at 7am today began a two-day strike to push their claim to settle their collective contract.
The strike was expected to affect at least five container ships and hundreds of millions of dollars in cargo.
Maritime Union spokesman Denis Carlisle said the company had offered a 3.25 per cent increase but the union wanted 4.5 to 4.9 per cent.
He said the latest offer was not enough to take back to the union members.
He said they were also claiming back pay to November last year when the collective agreement ran out.
Mr Carlisle said there was a sense of determination amongst striking workers, with a high level of interest from the general public.
Picketers were manning three shifts around the clock outside port gates in Auckland, from 7am-3pm, 3pm-11pm, and 11pm-7am, until
the end of the strike on Thursday morning.
"Our members are reporting to the picket line on a roster just as if they were at work.
"This is a very disciplined, organised group of workers."
An offer of a 3.25 per cent wage increase was an indication of the value of the labour of their employees, he said.
Mr Carlisle said the union was looking for options to get negotiations back under way, but would not be dictated to or short-changed.
"It may be that we have to find a third party in a bid to find a way forward," Mr Carlisle said.
While the idea was speculation on his part at this stage Mr Carlisle said it would be a commonsense way to find common ground.
"When you get two factions that have locked horns, often it is the only way."
Mr Carlisle said he was not happy about the port sending letters addressed to individual members outlining a pay offer.
The attempt was a "cynical" attempt to undermine the position of the union negotiators.
Ports of Auckland managing director Jens Madsen said in a statement that the company was trying to find a solution to the industrial unrest.
"This situation with rolling strikes is unacceptable and impacts all of our customers and New Zealand's international trade," he said.
A spokeswoman for Ports of Auckland said involving a third party negotiator was not uncommon but the company continued to deal directly with union representatives on a daily basis to attempt to end the deadlock.
Five ships were expected to be affected over the two day strike but one ship had come in early, to beat the strike, she said.
The strike is set to continue tomorrow.
- NZPA
