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About 120 protesters have gathered outside the gates of the Port of Napier to protest the loss of secure jobs.
About 25 permanent and 60 casual staff employed at Hawke's Bay Stevedoring Services have been threatened with job losses after a container stevedoring contract was awarded to a Mount Maunganui-based company International Stevedoring Operations.
Maritime Union general secretary Trevor Hanson said local protesters had been joined by 65 maritime workers other New Zealand ports and ships, and a further six maritime workers had flown in from Australia in show solidarity from the Maritime Union of Australia.
Local Labour list MP Russell Fairbrother had also joined the workers.
Maritime Union communications officer Victor Billot said a bus taking non-union workers into the port had failed to stop for a police officer, knocking the officer aside.
However, Napier Area Commander Inspector Kevin Calff said there had been a "misunderstanding".
"We had an agreement that the (bus) would pause for police. There was a misunderstanding between the driver and our instructor and they continued on, and the policeman stepped out of the way."
Police, the driver and union representatives had all had the incident clarified.
Mr Hanson said the actions of the Port of Napier management aimed to create an insecure and divided workforce, resulting in a plunge in safety, professional standards, wages and conditions.
"This dispute is a national and an international dispute, because what the port company is trying to do in Napier threatens maritime workers everywhere," he said.
Mr Hanson said the Port of Napier risked being identified as a "port of convenience" by the International Transport Workers' Federation, which could have major implications for its viability.
Mediation between the Maritime Union and Port Company was taking place this morning.
The company could not be contacted for comment.
- NZPA
