Ports of Auckland filing facilitation paperwork

Ports of Auckland says it's filing an application early this week to start facilitation between Ports and the Maritime Union.

Ports of Auckland says it has sought the move with the Employment Relations Authority.

It wants urgent facilitation after the company's tenth offer since negotiations began in September was rejected in mediation last week.

The offer includes a 10 percent pay rise, with full-time employees getting 160 hours of guaranteed work in each four-week cycle.

Ports chief executive Tony Gibson says the company shares the concerns of the business community at delays in being able to introduce modern, efficient work practices at the port.

He says the real issue is a lack of flexibility resulting in an excessive amount of paid downtime at the port.

He claims for every 40 hours paid Auckland stevedores are working just 26.

Mr Gibson says the downtime costs Ports of Auckland more than $8 million as year.

He wants customer-focused practices at the container terminal.