FIRST Union
Putting Workers First
FIRST Union is New Zealand's second-largest private sector trade union.
Formed in 2011 after the merger between the National Distribution Union and Finsec, FIRST Union represents 27,000 workers in the Finance, Industrial (Textile and Wood), Retail, Stores, Transport and Logistics sectors.
FIRST Union is also affiliated to the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions and runs several networks including the Union Network of Migrants, the Runanga, Fono and Womens' Committee. In 2015 FIRST Union launched Samoa First Union, Samoa's only private sector union.
Join FIRST Union today for higher pay, better conditions and more say at work.
FIRST Union - Latest News [Page 1]
Bus suspensions: drivers reject the same NZ Bus offer again
Tuesday, 10 December 2019, 6:52 pm | First Union
Over 800 FIRST Union and NZ Tramways Union members who drive buses for Auckland’s largest public transport operator, NZ Bus, met today and rejected the employer’s standing offer of a 2% pay rise, meaning driver suspensions are likely to continue ... More >>
Human rights abuses in the Philippines
Tuesday, 10 December 2019, 12:25 pm | FIRST Union
Today, December 10th, is Human Rights Day. It has been chosen by the International Trade Union Confederation to highlight human rights abuses of trade unions and labour activists in the Philippines. Two New Zealanders - Robert Reid, President of FIRST ... More >>
End the Christmas suspensions: protest at Auckland Transport
Sunday, 8 December 2019, 4:12 pm | First Union
End the Christmas suspensions: Hundreds of bus drivers to protest at Auckland Transport Source: First Union More >>
Free bus fares in Auckland to continue until Christmas
Friday, 6 December 2019, 8:20 am | FIRST Union
Drivers for NZ Bus will continue to offer free passenger fares as a partial strike action until Christmas, joining their colleagues at Go Bus, FIRST Union said today. More >>
Inghams workers wrap up 3-day strike
Thursday, 5 December 2019, 4:35 pm | FIRST Union
Food Processing workers at Inghams chicken processing plant in Wiri, Auckland, have just finished three days of full strike action after walking off the job over frustrating wage negotiations and missing backpay in a protest that some have dubbed the ‘McNugget ... More >>
NZBus drivers vote to join free fares strike from next week
Friday, 29 November 2019, 9:27 am | FIRST Union
Over 800 FIRST Union and NZ Tramways Union members who drive buses for Auckland’s largest bus company, NZ Bus, will be joining striking Go Bus drivers from Monday next week in not collecting passenger fares, meaning around half of all Auckland ... More >>
Nationwide protest marks beginning of Cotton On strike
Friday, 29 November 2019, 8:09 am | FIRST Union
Over 300 FIRST Union members at Cotton On throughout New Zealand will be beginning nationwide strike action this Friday in major centres, protesting the company’s refusal to provide a living wage to retail and distribution centre workers - or even ... More >>
Free fares on Go Bus services to continue in South Auckland
Wednesday, 27 November 2019, 10:12 am | FIRST Union
Go Bus drivers in South Auckland will continue their strike action over a bitter employment dispute with the company by offering free fares to passengers from this morning until Christmas Eve, FIRST Union said today. More >>
Mobil customers can expect disruptions next week
Tuesday, 26 November 2019, 10:45 am | FIRST Union
FIRST Union members who work at Allied Petroleum are warning customers in advance that a strike of Mobil tanker drivers may affect petrol supply next week, and they are calling on the petrol company to do the right thing and negotiate a collective ... More >>
Tip Top bakery workers fighting to put bread on their table
Sunday, 24 November 2019, 1:39 pm | First Union
Tip Top bakery workers fighting to put bread on their own tables Source: First Union More >>
Supermarket workers on path to living wage
Friday, 15 November 2019, 12:50 pm | FIRST Union
FIRST Union members at Countdown have ratified a new agreement that will set their supermarket team on a path towards a living wage, and significantly raise the pay of 15,000 workers across the country. More >>
Union Kaumātua calls for Iwi involvement in Go Bus dispute
Wednesday, 13 November 2019, 1:42 pm | FIRST Union
FIRST Union Kaumātua Syd Keepa is calling on Ngāi Tahu and Tainui, co-owners of Go Bus, to intervene in an ongoing dispute over pay and conditions that saw bus drivers beginning a full strike in South Auckland this morning, FIRST Union said today. More >>
Go Bus drives South Auckland bus drivers to full strike
Tuesday, 12 November 2019, 2:55 pm | FIRST Union
Go Bus drivers in Auckland will be taking full strike action from tomorrow as relations reach a new low with their employer following a week where the company has cancelled regular wage bargaining, arbitrarily suspended union-affiliated drivers, rejected ... More >>
Go Bus strike continues with dangerous managerial behaviour
Monday, 11 November 2019, 11:54 am | FIRST Union
FIRST Union Go Bus drivers in South Auckland say this morning’s picket action turned into something much more serious as two senior Go Bus managers manned buses and attempted to forcefully drive through the peaceful picket line, putting striking union members ... More >>
Arrest of union organisers and activists in Negros condemned
Wednesday, 6 November 2019, 1:19 pm | FIRST Union
At FIRST Union’s Regional Conference in Auckland yesterday, officials and delegates from around New Zealand condemned the All Saints Day evening raid and arrest of over 60 union organisers, human rights defenders and activists in the Philippines province ... More >>
FIRST Union commends ANZ on living wage stamp
Wednesday, 6 November 2019, 12:35 pm | FIRST Union
Today’s announcement that ANZ have received Living Wage accreditation should be applauded, and it shows that all banks can afford to and should pay their workers fairly, FIRST Union said today. More >>
CTU President offers support to striking Go Bus drivers
Wednesday, 30 October 2019, 10:00 am | FIRST Union
Council of Trade Unions President Richard Wagstaff has met with and offered support to striking South Auckland Go Bus drivers, who are continuing with their month-long free bus fares protest following an employment dispute that drivers say is causing ... More >>
Bus drivers continuing free fares protest in South Auckland
Wednesday, 23 October 2019, 2:18 pm | First Union
Go Bus drivers in South Auckland will continue refusing to collect fares tomorrow as their protest continues with the intent of avoiding disruption to passengers while highlighting the need for fair wage negotiations with their employer, FIRST Union ... More >>
Free bus fares in South Auckland tomorrow
Wednesday, 23 October 2019, 11:24 am | FIRST Union
South Aucklanders from Mangere to East Tamaki will be riding their Go Bus services to work for free tomorrow morning, as FIRST Union bus drivers opt out of collecting fares for their employer in an industrial action designed to show the wider public ... More >>
Workers of all stripes join Cotton On staff in picket
Wednesday, 16 October 2019, 10:23 am | First Union
Cotton On members are currently negotiating a new Collective Agreement with their employer, but despite the company’s repeated claims that they will provide “a pathway to the living wage”, a “people first focus” and a “commitment to ... More >>
