Friday, July 2, 1999
PINA Nius Online
HIGHLIGHTS
UNIONS CALL FOR GENERAL STRIKE ON JULY 8
NOUMEA, New Caledonia (July 2, 1999 - PINA Nius Online)---Unions in New Caledonia have called a general strike for July 8 to protest against "threats to basic labor rights," the daily newspaper Les Nouvelles reported here Friday.
The inter-union federation, which groups the French territory's main trade movements, including the public servants association, USTKE (Union of Exploited Kanak Workers), USOENC (Trade Union of Workers and Employees of New Caledonia), and Force Ouvriére, said the move was resolved at a meeting on Thursday morning.
The call is being extended to secondary schools, universities, employees, unemployed and retired people to protest against what they see as a threat to "acquired advantages. "
On Monday, some 160 disgruntled employers gathered here to discuss the tense social situation in a strike-ridden Noumea.
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