Church leaders are offering to step in to help the Ports of Auckland and its sacked workers mediate.
After lengthy industrial action, Ports of Auckland announced on Wednesday that it will introduce competitive stevedoring into its Fergusson and Bledisloe Container Terminal operations.
Up to 292 employees, mainly stevedores, will be immediately affected by the decision, it says.
Members of the Maritime Union are halfway through a four-week strike after contract negotiations broke down.
The leaders of the Anglican and Catholic churches in Auckland say middle ground has all but disappeared in the dispute.
They say they are concerned about the future of the waterfront industry in Auckland and are offering to sit with the port bosses and the union to help explore options.