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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 17]
A historical first: FIRST Union workers win fixing rule
Sunday, 3 March 2019, 1:48 pm | FIRST Union
A historic and significant, industry-setting decision has been made by the Employment Court of New Zealand in Christchurch regarding the Employment Relations Authority’s ability to fix the provisions of a collective agreement which has been subject to ... More >>
Workers picket high-end North Shore supermarket
Sunday, 3 March 2019, 1:05 pm | FIRST Union
Union members are taking action outside New World Albany today (Sunday 3rd March 2pm) to stand up for wages they can live on. More >>
Retail Workers’ Myth Busting: Retail is a Career
Saturday, 2 March 2019, 12:16 pm | FIRST Union
Retail Workers’ Myth Busting: Retail is a Career Official figures from Statistics New Zealand show there are a whopping 17,900 people working in retail on the minimum wage (according to the latest figures available for the June 2018 quarter). Out of ... More >>
Bus drivers’ strike in Dunedin over pathetic pay offer
Friday, 1 March 2019, 5:34 pm | First Union
Bus strikes continue in the transport sector, this time it’s Dunedin drivers who’ve had enough. More >>
Whakatane crash
Wednesday, 27 February 2019, 7:42 pm | First Union
“We are horrified to hear of the deaths of three people who were working for Higgins Contractors near Whakatane. No one goes to work to die. Our thoughts are with the families who today will be mourning a shocking loss, and to the workers who will ... More >>
It’s not about a bus driver shortage
Friday, 22 February 2019, 8:03 am | First Union
“The government already knows the solution to the problem, they talked about it in opposition, it’s simple: scrap the PTOM tendering model that got us in this mess and implement Fair Pay Agreements to lift the standards back to where they should ... More >>
This is what colonisation in 2019 looks like
Saturday, 16 February 2019, 10:57 am | First Union
There’s a dispute going on in the heart of Auckland over some of New Zealand’s oldest and most precious archaeological land. More >>
Striking Fuel tanker drivers win overtime rates
Monday, 11 February 2019, 1:57 pm | First Union
Further strike action at fuel distribution company Southfuels has been averted as an agreement has been reached that will see drivers being paid additional rates while working overtime. More >>
Ambulance Officer’s open letter
Friday, 1 February 2019, 3:51 pm | First Union
Ambulance Professionals have taken to writing letters to the board of trustees of St John in hopes their message will be heard. The Union has not received a response from the trust board despite the delegate bargaining group specifically asking them ... More >>
Wage crisis in bus sector
Friday, 1 February 2019, 3:22 pm | FIRST Union
Yet another bus company has announced a shortage of bus drivers. The Bay of Plenty Regional Council has today announced a driver shortage with NZ Bus for that region. NZ Bus Chief Operating Officer, Claire Neville says the company ... More >>
FIRST Union celebrate Westpac’s agreement to pay Living Wage
Friday, 1 February 2019, 3:05 pm | First Union
FIRST Union, the union for finance sector workers, welcomes the announcement earlier today that Westpac Bank has agreed to sign on as a Living Wage accredited employer, which will result in contractors engaged by Westpac receiving the Living Wage. More >>
FPAs move to close inequality gap
Thursday, 31 January 2019, 8:40 pm | First Union
FPAs move to close inequality gap & Workers voice support for FPAs Fair Pay Agreements (FPAs) will set out minimum terms and conditions of employment that will cover all workers within entire industries. The working group tasked with debating ... More >>
Dirty politics being used to spread misinformation on FPAs
Friday, 25 January 2019, 8:20 pm | First Union
Dirty politics being used to spread misinformation on FPAs Following the release of leaked documents from the Fair Pay Agreement workgroup, FIRST Union General Secretary Dennis Maga says he is hugely disappointed that what is supposed to be a collaborative ... More >>
Union calls on Coalition Gov’t to reassess RSE scheme
Friday, 18 January 2019, 8:53 am | FIRST Union
FIRST Union’s Denise Roche is calling on the Coalition Government to reassess its Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme as labourhire companies continue to use the RSE scheme to exploit migrant workers and undermine working people in New Zealand. More >>
Truck driver employees see similar issues as contractors
Thursday, 17 January 2019, 9:05 pm | First Union
In response to stories on long haul truck drivers sleeping at depots, not being able to eat or drink anything (because they don’t have time to go to the bathroom) and having to pee in bottles due to the pressure to meet ever-more tightening deadlines, ... More >>
Irresponsible businesses claiming worker shortages
Wednesday, 16 January 2019, 12:09 pm | FIRST Union
In response to several recent stories from unethical and out-dated business lobby groups claiming worker shortages in several industries, FIRST Union General Secretary Dennis Maga has released the below response. More >>
Fuel delivery company refuses to agree to standard
Friday, 11 January 2019, 7:56 pm | First Union
Fuel delivery company refuses to agree to standard industry allowances and takes latest offer off the table – meanwhile partial strike continues More >>
Further disruptions expected for Southfuels customers
Friday, 21 December 2018, 1:33 pm | First Union
Further disruptions expected for Southfuels customers Rural customers needing fuel deliveries this summer may face further disruptions as a second strike notice has been served on Southfuels Ltd by its’ workers. Around a third of the company’s ... More >>
Silviculture is synonymous with low wages and exploitation
Thursday, 20 December 2018, 3:56 pm | First Union
Yesterday, migrant exploitation was exposed in the forestry industry. The Labour Inspectorate has penalised Silviculture Solution Ltd (SSL), an associated company of CNI Forestry Management Ltd, 35,000 dollars for an ‘illegal system of calculating ... More >>
Minimum wage increase a decade overdue
Wednesday, 19 December 2018, 1:49 pm | First Union
The Coalition Government has announced the largest increase to the minimum wage, ever, in its move towards its minimum wage goal of $20 per hour by 2021. FIRST Union General Secretary Dennis Maga says while the minimum wage (currently $16.50), is ... More >>
