Union leader appeals jail sentence
Updated
New Caledonia's largest Kanak Union has decided to appeal against a jail sentence for one of its leaders. Union of Kanak and Exploited Workers boss Gerard Jodar was sentenced to a minimum of six months jail after he was found guilty of inciting violence. 23 members of the Socialist Union for Kanak and Exploited Workers were found guilty of violence during the protest. The union was demanding that a bus driver, who was sacked for stealing, be reinstated.
Presenter: Sandrine Ducrot
Speaker: Gerard Jodar, President of the USTKE; Robert Blaser, New Caledonia's public prosecutor
The judgment followed a clash between union members and policemen last January.
The police were asked to intervene at the premises of transport company Carsud where union members had organized a strike. Union members were angry at managements' failure to honour an existing collective agreement.
But the police intervention led to a fight, and several union members and policemen were injured.
On Monday, Noumea's court ruled that union members were guilty of violence, and sentenced them to jail terms from one month to a year.
Union's President Gerard Jodar, says he expected the one year sentence with a six month non parole period.
New Caledonia's public prosecutor Robert Blaser says union members had to be sanctioned.
Mr Blaser says Mr Jodar's role in the fight was proven and therefore he had to be sanctioned.
Mr Jodar says the Union will appeal against the ruling, which he says is a political decision.
The pro-independence Labor party created late last year, is the new political branch of the Kanak Union.
In France, the ruling is also perceived by left wing parties and unions as a political decision. A meeting was organized in Paris. It was attended by some major French unions and organization leaders to demonstrate their support for the pro-independence Kanak Union.
The Union has also lodged a complaint against the State for using violence during the police intervention. Mr Blaser says an inquiry is underway.
Mr Jodar says he hopes the decisions will help his appeal.
