Previous negotiations between South Port workers and the port company failed to stop Maritime Union members from proceeding with the three-day strike.
Maritime Union national secretary Craig Harrison said the strike was driven by wanting to increase workers’ pay.
"We have an existing starting rate of $25.30 and we want to lift that up to what we see in the industry, which is $28.
"That’s the crux of the matter — the pay."
The Maritime Union rejected a previous pay offer from management which he believed "did not reflect the 20% return that the port had received".
The company offered a 6% guaranteed general wage increase, plus other skill set rate adjustments, which made the offer equivalent to an 8.2% wage increase, and back pay to September.
This was on top of a 7% general wage increase last year.
"I think the CEO had a 14% increase in his income.
"Everyone who works on that port generates a significant income, so it’s not unreasonable to ask for those rates to go up when you compare it to what other industries make."
The union was asking for the pay to meet the cost-of-living crisis for members living in the area.
A South Port spokeswoman said the strike would not affect marine operations.
Other areas of the business might be restricted for the duration of the strike, but the company would work through this with customers and port users in order to minimise the disruption and impact on their businesses.
As the industrial action unfolded, South Port would reassess the situation and adjust planning accordingly.
"South Port remains committed to resolving the industrial dispute as quickly as possible.
"We will work in good faith to achieve a settlement with the union, but in the meantime, it is business as usual."
— Nina Tapu
