It was just over a decade ago at Port Chalmers that similar workforce casualisation issues came to a head for Port Otago, prompting picketing and scenes of bitter confrontation; bordering on lawlessness at times during 2000-01.
Unlike Ports of Auckland's claims in recent weeks that the union dispute is to blame for Maersk and Fonterra heading to Tauranga, the casualisation issue in the South Island came from the incursion of an outside workforce seeking work directly from log exporters.
While Port Otago maintained a neutral stance, from October 2000 log exporter Carter Holt Harvey began using staff of Tauranga-based Mainland Stevedoring at Port Chalmers, Timaru and Bluff, sparking the Maritime Union of New Zealand - then the New Zealand Waterfront Workers Union - into widespread protests and picketing.
Carter Holt claimed it was adhering to "free market opportunities"; Mainland said it was employing many local people at the respective ports, while the Maritime union galvanised local community support, saying casual and full-time jobs were at stake.
Mainland's staff were also members of the then relatively new Amalgamated Stevedores Union.
After more than 12 unruly picket actions, by May 2001 international demand for Carter Holt logs had waned and Mainland played an increasingly minor role in the South Island, appearing to turn its focus back to Tauranga.
