Lyttelton Port's container terminal was forced to shut down overnight, and will shut again tonight, as union members refuse to work overtime.
Lyttelton Port container terminal was forced to shut down overnight by industrial action. Photo: 123RF
It will be the second weekend in a row the port has had to close.
Organiser for the Rail and Maritime Transport Union John Kerr said the port can not guarantee its workers' safety without its maintenance staff, who are striking for better wages.
He said the port will likely lose about $100,000 in revenue this weekend but the union took no pleasure in that, and its members would rather be talking than fighting.
Port operations manager Paul Monk said a deal under collective bargaining was not likely until after the holiday period.