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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 15]
Farmers retail workers walking off shop floor
Thursday, 23 May 2019, 10:50 am | FIRST Union
Workers in Auckland at Botany, Manukau and Pukekohe are walking off the job today over Farmers’ refusal to pay the Living Wage and the company’s faulty performance pay system that keeps wages down. Staff at the Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, North Shore ... More >>
Farmers retail receives an ‘F’ for performance from staff
Wednesday, 22 May 2019, 5:33 pm | FIRST Union
Farmers retail workers have long been subject to an unfair performance pay system and have decided it’s time to grade their employer. They agreed on an F-rating for performance over Farmers’ refusal to pay the Living Wage and the company’s ... More >>
Bus Drivers: Full Review of PTOM Announced
Tuesday, 21 May 2019, 7:55 pm | First Union
Bus Drivers: Full Review of PTOM Announced For Immediate release 21/05/2019 Bus drivers who are members of FIRST Union were pleased to learn today that the campaign to end the race to the bottom on wages has been a success . Today the Transport Minister ... More >>
Wellbeing budget delivers for Ambo wages, St John moving
Tuesday, 21 May 2019, 4:18 pm | FIRST Union
Wellbeing budget delivers for Ambos’ wages, St John already making moves to spend elsewhere More >>
First sheep shearing collective in decades signed
Wednesday, 15 May 2019, 9:39 am | FIRST Union
The shearing shed: an iconic Kiwi job if there ever was one. Problem is, a lack of upskilling through training and low wool prices over the last couple of decades mean it’s lost its appeal for many. But industry leaders have come together to ... More >>
Building employment protection for migrant workers
Friday, 3 May 2019, 10:35 am | FIRST Union
Another labour hire company has signed onto a work placement strategy that assists business and takes into account the wellbeing of the working person; this time migrant workers mainly in the construction sector. More >>
Agreement to be signed for Migrant Workers in Labour hire
Friday, 3 May 2019, 9:13 am | FIRST Union
Another labour hire company has signed onto a work placement strategy that assists business and takes into account the wellbeing of the working person; this time migrant workers mainly in the construction sector. More >>
Pie dispute heats up: Workers strike again
Thursday, 2 May 2019, 3:32 pm | First Union
That Big Ben pie that Kiwis love is regrettably brought to you by low wages. More >>
Living Wages and better rosters for Bus Drivers
Tuesday, 30 April 2019, 7:09 pm | First Union
The establishment of a Tripartite forum including councils, bus operators and unions to resolve issues around the implementation of paid rest breaks will also deal with longstanding issues around pay and hours of work for drivers. More >>
Fisheries workers had enough of floating on minimum wage
Friday, 26 April 2019, 5:42 pm | FIRST Union
Workers at Moana New Zealand have until now, watched in frustration as the parent company they work for brings in millions while they try to live off wages that barely float above the minimum. More >>
Big Ben workers striking for their fair share of the pie
Wednesday, 17 April 2019, 8:58 pm | FIRST Union
The workers who make New Zealand’s iconic Big Ben pies are striking tonight and tomorrow to send a message to their employer that their pay offer is not good enough. FIRST Union represents approximately 30 staff, a majority, in the pie department ... More >>
Petition in support of Ambulance Professionals accepted
Tuesday, 9 April 2019, 4:45 pm | FIRST Union
A 14,000-strong petition in support of Ambulance Professional’s call to be recognised for the work they do has been submitted to parliament alongside a petition that requests urgent funding earmarked for wages (see section A of attached document). NZ First ... More >>
Domestic violence leave a great relief
Thursday, 4 April 2019, 9:40 am | First Union
The Domestic Violence - Victims Protection Bill allows those experiencing violence in their lives to up to ten days paid domestic violence leave per year to be able to better deal with the effects of domestic violence. More >>
Bus drivers will no longer be treated differently
Wednesday, 3 April 2019, 9:04 am | FIRST Union
FIRST Union welcomes the changes to bus driver breaks as part of the implementation of the Employment Relations Amendment Act of which more changes come into effect next month. More >>
Hundreds of shoppers show support for a lift in pay
Monday, 1 April 2019, 12:18 pm | FIRST Union
The Pak n’ Save Picket for Decent Work at the Auckland Glen Innes store today (27/03/19) saw hundreds of customers filling out forms and handing them into checkout operators to show support for the hard work they do. More >>
Auckland Transport backlogged by complaints as crisis grows
Friday, 29 March 2019, 9:21 am | FIRST Union
FIRST Union has obtained an email from a disgruntled bus passenger confirming an increased volume in complaints regarding bus services failing to deliver in the Auckland Region. The revelation comes amidst a number of bus operators and councils around ... More >>
St John angers staff with insensitive ad campaign
Tuesday, 26 March 2019, 4:10 pm | FIRST Union
Less than two weeks since the horrific terror attacks in Christchurch, St John has had to withdraw an appeal asking for donations they claim will go towards the paramedics who were the first respondents to the attacks. More >>
60 Alec Baldwin wielding workers take to the streets
Monday, 25 March 2019, 1:43 pm | First Union
A sea of 60 call-centre workers will stride through Britomart, downtown Auckland City today in their fight to share awareness of their pay and work conditions. More >>
Kia Kaha Migrants and refugees in Aotearoa
Sunday, 17 March 2019, 5:54 pm | FIRST Union
Union Network of Migrants(UNEMIG) and Indian Workers Association(IWA) strongly condemns the brutal and unprecedented terror attack in Christchurch, New Zealand on innocent Muslims brothers, sisters and their children which resulted in 50 dead and many seriously ... More >>
It’s time for caring, peace and unity
Sunday, 17 March 2019, 2:54 pm | FIRST Union
FIRST Union is rallying around those affected by the terrorist attack in Christchurch, and calling on employers to be mindful of the mental wellbeing of staff. More >>
