Striking Lyttelton Port workers have voted on another even longer round of strike action as the industrial dispute deepens.
Rail and Maritime Transport Union organiser John Kerr Photo: RNZ / Alex Harmer
The 200 members of the Rail and Maritime Transport Union are in the midst of a seven day long strike that finishes at midnight on Sunday.
They want to be paid the same as the 200 members of a rival union working at the port.
The port says it is only willing to do this if they agree to work the same flexible hours the rival union has agreed to.
Union spokesperson John Kerr said he was hoping to resume negotiations once members went back to work on Monday.
He said if these were not successful then workers would resume striking for three weeks starting 8 April.
Meanwhile, National’s workplace relations spokesperson Michael Woodhouse has accused the union of thuggish behaviour.
He said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern should condemn the handing out of pamphlets on the streets where port company directors live.
The pamphlets handed out by port workers on Monday included the names and addresses of directors, and information about the strike.
Mr Woodhouse says they were designed to get people to approach board members directly and put pressure on them.
The workers had been emboldened by the new Labour-led government and should be reminded such bully boy tactics are not acceptable.
He says there is no place for personal attacks and abuse in negotiations over pay and conditions.