Armed Police Go To French Strike Areas

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30072, 5 March 1963, Page 13

Armed Police Go To French Strike Areas

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) PARIS, March 4. Truck-loads of armed riot police were moving into mining towns in north-western France today after miners’ unions defied a Government order to the miners to end their strike for higher pay, the British Gmted Press reported. The strike committee for the Lorraine area distributed pamphlets late yesterday calling on the miners in their district to continue their strike. A mass meeting of miners has been called for today at Lens and Merlebach.

The Government issued a “requisition” order—similar to military mobilisation—with effect from Monday in Lorraine and Tuesday in the north and west. The difference takes into account when the miners began their strike and whether there were Saturday and Sunday work shifts.

Failure to obey the “requisition” order could lead to fines, loss of pensions and possible prison sentences, said the British United Press. An estimated 200.000 coal and iron miners went on strike on Friday for in-

creases, averaging 11 per cent,, in wages, which range from £42 to £7l a month. The Government said it had been forced to make the “requisition” order because the first 48 hours of the strike had seriously depleted coal supplies already severelytaxed by this year’s exceptionally cold weather. About 180,000 gas and electricity workers have called for a one-hour strike on Tuesday to show solidarity with the miners. Unions leading the miners’ strike have called for a general 15minute stoppage on Tuesday in support of the miners. Reuter reported that after the Lorraine strike committee’s rejection of President de Gaulle’s decree ordering a resumption of work, leaflets distributed in the Lorraine coal basin yesterday told miners: ‘‘The strike continues. Indignantly, we categorically reject the requisition order. ‘‘On Monday and the following days the miners will continue their battle. They are more determined than ever on a total and unlimited strike.” Tension was mounting in the Lorraine coal basin this morning as striking miners ignored Government orders to return to work.

Mine managements announced that 96.3 per cent, of underground workers did not turn up for work this morning.

From early morning, union officials toured the streets of Medebach, Forbach and St. Avoid with loudspeakers, instructing miners to stay at home.

Groups of strikers were gathered in the main mining areas but kept away from the mines. No incidents had been reported so far. A trade union leader told an improvised meeting in Merlebach early today that first indications were that only security services were manned in the mines. A mass meeting of strikers has been called for Forbach this afternoon.