Wharfies and Ports of Auckland back in talks

Ports of Auckland. Photo / Chris Skelton.

The union for Auckland wharfies and the Ports of Auckland management will meet with an Employment Relations Authority appointed facilitator again on Friday in a bid to resolve a 10-month-old pay dispute.

The two sides and facilitator held talks yesterday but the details are confidential.

The Maritime Union is seeking a 4.5 to 4.9 per cent wage increase while the ports company has offered 3.25 per cent each year for the next three years and a productivity bonus of 2.5 per cent.

Ports of Auckland spokeswoman Karen Bradshaw said today the authority facilitator had the power to make recommendations and decide if those recommendations were to be made public.

Neither party was obliged to accept the recommendations.

She said both parties had tried mediation but a mediator could not make recommendations.

"We have had a mediator from the Department of Labour and we have had a facilitator from the Council of Trade Unions and now we have gone down this somewhat unusual path of seeking help from the Employment Relations Authority."

Ms Bradshaw said the content of yesterday's meeting was confidential and there was no timetable on reaching a resolution.

The union has not announced any plans for further strike action.

- NZPA