The Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) and the Maritime Union of New Zealand have signed an alliance charter with a goal of increasing union power at ports.
The charter provides a basis for communication, information sharing, joint campaigning, a political strategy and a national organising strategy, the unions said in a statement.
RMTU general secretary Wayne Butson said joint projects between the two unions had already been discussed. The projects would enhance the power and influence of organised labour on the New Zealand waterfront.
Maritime Union general secretary Joe Fleetwood said the unions wanted to get all port and waterfront workers in New Zealand into genuine unions and build terms and conditions on the waterfront.
Both unions are affiliates of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, the International Transport Workers Federation, and the Trans Tasman Transport Union Alliance.
