The Importers Institute is warning its members that ships will not be rushing back to Auckland's port, despite knowing it will be fully staffed again within a week.
The council-owned port company withdrew a lockout notice on Friday and said union workers should be back on the job no later than next Friday.
The Importers Institute says the withdrawal of the lockout notice provides little certainty for businesses or shipping lines, as both the union and company are refusing to budge on their demands in contract negotiations.
Spokesperson Daniel Silva says importers should watch how the shipping companies react to the developments before making any drastic changes to which port they use.
Auckland Chamber of Commerce is urging the port company to stick to its guns on contracting out the wharf workers jobs because it says increased productivity provides better returns for the city.
Ports of Auckland has been banned from doing that until a court hearing in the middle of May.
