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Ports of Auckland is likely to be under intense pressure from Tuesday with 250 workers planning to walk off the job over a pay dispute.
The workers have announced they will strike from 7am for two days at the Axis container terminals.
Denis Carlisle, from the Maritime Union representing the workers, said the strike would effectively grind Ports of Auckland to a halt.
Mr Carlisle said workers had been negotiating for a 4.5 to 4.9 per cent payrise.
Ports of Auckland had offered 3.25 per cent and inflamed the situation by already paying workers that increase despite it having been rejected.
Mr Carlisle said there were other concerning issues including an increased amount of cargo being handled over the past couple of years, something that was impacting on the workers' family lives.
Meanwhile, the cost of living in Auckland had skyrocketed, he said.
Ports of Auckland said when the strike notice was issued that the union's settlement claims were not economically viable and effectively equated to a 10 to 15 per cent increase in the first year and further increases in the following two years.
The 3.25 per cent increase was offered for three years.
- NZPA
