The Maritime Union is in mediation with the Ports of Auckland on Thursday and Friday this week and is hopeful an agreement can be made on a fair and reasonable collective agreement.

The Maritime Union also advises that given the legal requirement for 14 days notice, it has given such notice for a further weeks strike commencing 16 March 2012 at 7am.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National President Garry Parsloe says that "if we can achieve a settlement in collective bargaining, the strike action will be lifted."