New Caledonia's

General Strike At

Nickel Mines

Workers at the New Caledonian nickel mining centres of Thio, Poro and Kouarou went on strike in late September following a breakdown in negotiations be tween trades union leaders and the Societe le Nickel, which has a monopoly in the country’s

nickel industry.

THE strike immobilised shipping between the mining centres and the Noumea smelters, and if it con tinues, it will result in the shut-down of the smelters.

Trouble started at Thio several months ago when a couple of chief engineers of Societe le Nickel de clared that they wanted no unionism among their employees.

“We will take care of any dispute,” they are reported to have said, “and those who don’t like it will be thrown out.”

Union delegates later protested to the Societe’s head office in Noumea by letter, telegram and in person about the “continued provocative actions and words” of the two en gineers, and when no action was forthcoming, a 24-hour stoppage was called at the Thio mines in late August.

"Appalling Relations"

Three union delegates were stood down following the stoppage. But these men were reinstated for the visit of General de Gaulle, as the societe feared that the whole nickel industry would go on strike.

Later, another 24-hour stoppage oc curred at Thio when the company efused to transfer the two engineers.

Result: Nine union delegates were stood down.

When a compulsory conference be ween the company and union dele gates, presided over by the Inspector of Labour, broke down without result, the general strike was called at Thio, Poro and Kouaro.

The main bone of contention at the conference was the reinstatement at Thio of a union leader.

PIM’s Noumea correspondent says: relations with the Societe le Nickel have always been appalling but at present they are at the lowest level ever.”