A union in New Caledonia has called for a one-day strike at the SLN nickel mining company over the impasse at the closed Kouaoua site.
A blockade of the site is entering its second month with no resolution on the horizon.
The SLN plant in Noumea. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
For the CSTNC union, the grievances of the young environmentalists blocking the site are legitimate and the union has accused SLN of being haughty in dealing with the dispute.
SLN has also been caught in a war of words with the provincial government which feared that the stand-off could lead to violence.
The company, which is the territory's biggest private sector employer, closed the Kouaoua site three weeks ago, triggering temporary job losses.
The union is worried that Kouaoua might not reopen and affect nickel production downstream.