Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Mediation resumes in Ports of Auckland dispute

Updated at 8:27 am on 9 December 2011

Ports of Auckland will go back into mediation talks with the Maritime Union on Friday morning.

More than 300 workers were due to resume industrial action on Thursday night but that strike was called off to allow for the resumption of talks at 9am on Friday.

Ports of Auckland says it will operate on Friday, but will be working through the backlog created by a four day stoppage earlier in the week.

It says importers and exporters will still suffer delays of between three and five days, partly due to the industrial action and partly because ships were re-routed to Tauranga.

The port says it is determined to resolve the dispute.

The union says some progress has been made but another 24 hour strike from Friday night has yet to be cancelled.

The Retailers Association says it hopes the dispute will end as soon as possible because stores need to get their stock in before Christmas.

Auckland Chamber of Commerce says Ports of Auckland is losing credibility because of the ongoing industrial action.

Chief executive Michael Barnett told Morning Report importers and exporters are facing uncertainty about whether they can shift their goods.

Mr Barnett says some retailers will be out of pocket after being forced to move stock by air rather than sea.

Listen to Michael Barnett on Morning Report

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