A strike at two mining sites of the nickel company SLN in New Caledonia has spread.
After affecting the mines in Thio and Tiebaghi since last Thursday, the SLN site at Nepoui has now also been hit by the action of two unions.
SLN ship entering Noumea Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Walter Zweifel
The two oppose changes to work patterns introduced as part of a restructure of the company, which is running at a loss.
The changes, which had been agreed to last year, entail longer hours but fewer days of work and more pay.
According to SLN, this change optimises the use of its equipment.
The work regime has been in force at SLN's mine at Kouaoua.
That site was hit by a blockade last year which interrupted ore supplies to the SLN smelter in Noumea.