CONFLICTRESOLUTION

Assessment 3 Edouard Komon

COMM.6100Advanced Communication Skills

Minor Union Strike – New Caledonia

SUMMARY OF CONFLICT A big strike occurred in New Caledonia in

August 2015 Economical and political conflict that opposed

local Institutions against a Minor Union The minors request was to export mineral

toward China, and the government disapproved it

The country was blocked for three weeks because of the truck drivers and their roadblocks

Roadblock started on the 5th of August and finished the 28th of August

PARTIES INVOLVED

Mining Foreign Trade Committee: Government President Province President Mining Industry representative

“ContraKmine” – Mining Union: Minors Truck driver

New Caledonia citizens

Roadblock in Nouméa

POINTS OF VIEW ContraKmine: Mining Union

Wanted to export a type of minerals toward China

Thought that would expand and develop their activity

Mining Factory – Goro (New Caledonia)

POINTS OF VIEW Mining Foreign Trade

Committee Preferred to export toward

historic clients (Australia, Japan, South Korea)

For them the guarantee was greater with these clients

Needed time to consider ContraKmine demand

Disapproved demand on the 30th of July

Nickel mineral

SHARED INTERESTS Both parties wanted to develop the mining sector Develop the market and minerals distribution Able each citizen to commute and go to work Minor think that that the opening of a network

toward China would maintain their activity in a tough economical situation

The comity prefers to give priority to historical clients which are Australia, Japan and South Korea.

THE FOUR F’s Facts

Institutions and Industry couldn’t find an agreement about what strategy to use about the mining sector

Feelings Mining union were scared about the prosperity of

their activity. Institutions thought that their strategy was the best for everyone

Focus & Actions Both parties said clearly what they wanted. Union

wanted exchanges with China while Institution would like to keep interest with historical clients

Feedback Both parties gave their point and stated it clearly

through a protocol

STAGES OF NEGOTIATION Four stages of negotiation : Preparation –

Discussion – Proposal and Bargaining – Closing the deal

First the Committee disapproved the proposal of ContraKmine

Meeting on the 21st of August - A crisis point was reached when parties couldn’t agreed on a solution

On the 24th of August a mediator was chosen by the Government to resolve the conflict

The conflict was too strong at the end agreement was obvious for the general interest

HOW PARTIES DEAL WITH THE CONFLICT

Behaviour Both parties adopted a negative behaviour Truck driver used a aggressive behaviour Camp on their positions so a crisis point

was reached Emotion

The negotiation was stopped for 10 days Economy slowed down because of the

conflict People were disappointed by the conflict Culture – Striking is something usual in New

Caledonia when a conflict occured

RESOLUTION ATTEMPTED Both parties had a couple of meeting to

attempt an agreement A mediator was appointed to resolve the

conflict His purpose was to see the conflict from

an external and unbiased point of view The government proposed on the 21st of

August that the “exportation demand toward China would be discussed at the country strategy meeting”

This proposition was rejected on the 22nd of August by ContraKmine

RECOMMENDATIONS A mediator should have been appointed

earlier They should have agreed on a solution

because the conflict is just postponed for now

Both parties should have been more clear: The committee should have presented the

reasons of their disagreement ContraKmine should have shown proof of

the benefice of exportation toward China

SUMMARY

Between 30% and 80% of employee were not able to work because of the roadblocks

A withdrawal strategy has been chosen No solution founded – The agreement

has been postponed This conflict shown the importance of

the mining industry within the New Caledonian economy

NEGOTIATION SETTLEMENT Agreement occurred on the 28th of

August 5 hours long meeting of eight people Truck driver have to remove their

roadblock ContraKmine will be now consulted for

any political decision revelling of the mining industry

A future meeting will be held with both parties to adopt a mining strategy

REFERENCES. Barnett, S, and O’Rourke, S. (2011). Communication,

Organization and Innovation (3rd Ed.) New Zealand: Pearson.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/282459/mediation-starts-over-new-caledonia-nickel-conflict

http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/282750/resolution-reached-in-new-caledonia-nickel-dispute

http://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2015/08/21/la-nouvelle-caledonie-paralysee-par-un-conflit-sur-l-exportation-de-nickel_4732961_3234.html

http://caledosphere.com/2015/08/28/protocole-daccord-signe-le-conflit-des-rouleurs-est-termine/