The Maritime Union is fuming after learning the Ports of Auckland had issued a lockout notice.
The union's set to embark on a two-day strike next month, after collective agreement negotiations stalled.
In response, the port authority plans to lock the workers out in the first week of December.
With the two-day strike already costing ratepayers $1.6 million, union president, Garry Parsloe, says the port's decision is nonsensical.
Union president, Garry Parsloe, says he's bemused by the situation.
“The CEO of the port came and saw me and was quite upset that we were taking two days industrial action to try and progress our collectives and complained about the costs being $1.6m and then added a further two days on it by locking us out," says Mr Parsloe.
“It just seems a little bit strange to say the least.”
The industrial action affects the Ferguson and Bledisloe container terminals and associated road and rail services.
The lockout notice will be lifted if the union chooses to withdraw plans to strike.
RadioLIVE