Nothing will change Dover Harbour Board's decision to privatise nearly 200 jobs at the port.

That's the message from the port's chief executive Bob Goldfield as more than 300 workers plan to stage a 48-hour strike next week.

Around 190 jobs, including mooring, trailer-handling drivers and security services, are due to be transferred to a private contractor from February 2.

Members of the UNITE union were balloted on industrial action, and decided by 83 per cent to go on strike.

This could involve up to 328 union members who work at the port.

But Mr Goldfield says a strike will get them nowhere.

"This proposed action will achieve very little, apart from depriving families of much-needed funds in very hard economic times, delaying the collaborative talks and making life a little more difficult for the customers, the very people who provide livelihoods for us all," he said.

Mr Goldfield said other staff, management and contractors would step in to do the work normally done by those who go on strike, and the port would remain open.

He accused the union of not being willing to discuss the situation, and said there was an open invitation for discussions.

Unite members are due to hold a rally and march in the town centre on Saturday ahead of their strike action.