Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
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 10]
Seventy Workers Losing Jobs As Christchurch Loses Clothing Manufacturer Deane Apparel
Wednesday, 2 December 2020, 3:55 pm | FIRST Union
Well-established New Zealand clothing manufacturer Deane Apparel have today confirmed their intention to close their manufacturing plant in Russley, Christchurch, which will lead to around 70 job losses among their predominantly female workforce and ... More >>
FIRST Union Says Horticulture Industry Must Pay Locals A Living Wage Too
Friday, 27 November 2020, 4:00 pm | FIRST Union
FIRST Union says horticulture industry must pay locals a living wage too FIRST Union says today’s announcement that the Government is allowing the horticulture industry to bring into the country 2,000 RSE workers if they pay them a living wage shows ... More >>
Countdown Customer Care Workers Take Further Strike Action
Tuesday, 24 November 2020, 11:25 am | FIRST Union
Workers at Countdown’s central Customer Care centre in Auckland are walking off the job this afternoon in their third strike action over underpayment and a disappointing new settlement offer from Countdown that they say is worse than their opening position, ... More >>
Government Must Intervene To Halt Mass Wage Theft
Friday, 20 November 2020, 10:04 am | FIRST Union
FIRST Union, the union representing 1200 Ambulance Professionals at St John, are calling on the Government to intervene in what can only be described as "Mass Wage Theft". FIRST Union has filed for urgency in the Employment Court for compliance ... More >>
Trigger Section 64 To Support Migrant Workers And Plug Labour Shortage
Friday, 20 November 2020, 8:24 am | First Union
With current financial support for migrant workers coming to an end at the end of the month, the Union Network of Migrants (UNEMIG) has written to the Ministers for Social Development and Immigration, demanding the Government trigger Section 64 of ... More >>
New Covid Community Case Shows Why Retail Workers Need Sick Leave And Safe Staffing
Thursday, 12 November 2020, 2:14 pm | FIRST Union
Today’s announcement of a new case of community transmission of Covid-19 in Auckland is a vital reminder of why an increase to statutory sick leave for retail workers is more necessary than ever, but employers must also do their part to ensure safe ... More >>
Ambulance Professionals Vote For A Full Strike
Monday, 9 November 2020, 3:07 pm | First Union
This weekend, First Union members at St John Ambulance voted overwhelmingly to strike and withdraw their labour, saying that St John has continued to withhold their agreed shift pay, is proposing salary cuts to fully funded jobs, and wants to remove their ... More >>
The Warehouse Walkout: Distribution Centre Staff To Strike On Monday For 24 Hours
Saturday, 7 November 2020, 9:13 am | First Union
The Warehouse workers from Auckland’s Distribution Centre have voted to strike and withdraw their labour this Monday 9th November for 24 hours following a breakdown in bargaining and ongoing frustration over the company’s restructuring attempts, ... More >>
Regional Banking Hubs Trial Offers A Model For The Whole Country
Tuesday, 3 November 2020, 8:11 am | First Union
FIRST Union has welcomed the announcement that Regional Banking Hubs will be trialled in four regions around New Zealand, and says the trial could offer a useful model for the rest of the country as we seek to maintain face-to-face services, retain ... More >>
Countdown Customer Care Strike Continues As Frustration Grows
Tuesday, 27 October 2020, 1:32 pm | First Union
Countdown customer care specialists who deal with the supermarket’s online orders are taking partial strike action today and withdrawing labour relating to online shopping as anger grows among workers at the company’s comments about pay and value, ... More >>
Heartland Bank Workers Take Strike Action In Auckland Over Low Pay Rates
Tuesday, 27 October 2020, 12:04 pm | FIRST Union
Workers at Heartland Bank in Auckland are taking strike action today and walking off the job after unsuccessful negotiations with the employer have failed to result in meaningful increases to wages that union officials say are well below market rates, ... More >>
Pak’n’Save Whakatane Workers To Strike Over Lowest Supermarket Wages In Bay Of Plenty
Friday, 23 October 2020, 11:02 am | FIRST Union
Workers at Pak’n’Save in Whakatane are taking strike action today over fruitless negotiations with the store owner and low wage rates that fall below comparable industry standards and represent the lowest supermarket wages in Whakatane and the lowest-paid ... More >>
Thousands Of Union Members At Countdown Feel Effect Of First Paycheque Under New Rates
Thursday, 8 October 2020, 8:04 am | First Union
Over the last week, around 7000 FIRST Union members who work at Countdown received their first payslips under new rates agreed in a Collective Agreement signed with the employer last November that will see thousands moving onto living wages, transparent ... More >>
It’s Not Too Late - Govt Can Save Marsden Point By Partnering On A Just Transition
Monday, 5 October 2020, 12:24 pm | FIRST Union
Refining NZ have this morning confirmed that around 100 jobs will be cut as the first part of its Strategic Review concludes, but FIRST Union says that it isn’t too late to save more jobs, assets and infrastructure while transitioning to cleaner ... More >>
Pak’n’Save Workers To Strike After Five Years Waiting For A Deal
Friday, 2 October 2020, 11:19 am | FIRST Union
Workers at Pak’n’Save Richmond are taking strike action after five years of fruitless negotiation has failed to result in a Collective Agreement or a living wage, and FIRST Union says the lengthy impasse highlights the difficulty for supermarket ... More >>
Workers Dismayed As Warehouse Confirms Restructure To Proceed
Friday, 18 September 2020, 8:40 am | First Union
The Warehouse confirmed to workers in a series of meetings around the country that the organisation has decided to continue with its proposed restructure of 62 further Warehouse stores, despite overwhelming staff feedback that the plan will disadvantage ... More >>
Last Chance For Warehouse Workers
Friday, 11 September 2020, 8:15 am | First Union
Warehouse workers have presented their final feedback on corporate management’s restructure and redundancy process in a last-ditch attempt to save jobs and hours in 62 stores around New Zealand and are seeking public support to stop the restructure, ... More >>
Major Brands Forcing Staff To Use Sick And Annual Leave To Self-isolate As Subsidy Goes Untapped
Tuesday, 25 August 2020, 9:49 am | FIRST Union
Major retail and industry brands including Fletcher, Countdown, Lion and Bunnings are jeopardising the national pandemic response and exploiting their workers by forcing many to use sick leave and accrued annual leave instead of applying for the easily-available ... More >>
Resilience Projects To Benefit From Government Investment In Climate Change Protections
Tuesday, 11 August 2020, 12:10 pm | First Union
$100m in government funding for climate change protections and infrastructure comes at a welcome time where shovel-ready projects are needed to help New Zealand bounce back against Covid-19 and create sustainable jobs for Kiwis in the quarrying sector, ... More >>
Celebrate Collective Bargaining! How Bank Staff Have Paved The Way For Everyone On The Living Wage
Tuesday, 28 July 2020, 3:43 pm | FIRST Union
With the recent news that all bank workers in New Zealand - including contractors, cleaners and other non-financial staff - will now be receiving the living wage, it is time to highlight the central role of collective bargaining in negotiating fair ... More >>
