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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 18]
Fuel Truck Drivers’ Strike Turns Into Lively Picket
Wednesday, 19 December 2018, 12:03 pm | First Union
It’s day four of the fuel tanker strike and SouthFuel truck drivers are picketing their workplace. More >>
Reducing the exploitation of migrant workers
Tuesday, 18 December 2018, 2:13 pm | First Union
Temporary work visa proposals could go a long way to reducing the exploitation of migrant workers and to protecting the working rights of everyday working people More >>
Darker side emerging of exploitation of migrant workers
Tuesday, 18 December 2018, 10:33 am | First Union
In reference to the New Zealand resident who allegedly brought Samoan nationals to do illegal work for him in the horticultural industry on a regular basis for decades. More >>
More fuel tank drivers on strike over overtime allowances
Monday, 17 December 2018, 7:42 pm | First Union
While around 180 Pacific Fuel Haul tanker truck drivers have settled their collective, tanker truck drivers at SouthFuels who deliver fuel and lubricants to the primary industries in that region are now on strike over what are standard clauses in their ... More >>
Strike off for 180 Fuel Tanker Truck Drivers
Thursday, 13 December 2018, 7:48 pm | First Union
Strike off for 180 Fuel Tanker Truck Drivers: Deal reached 180 fuel tanker drivers at Pacific Fuel Haul who had voted to walk off the job from December 16 for five days will no longer be doing so as a deal has been reached between workers and the ... More >>
Uniform protest for St John Ambulance Professionals
Thursday, 6 December 2018, 8:15 am | First Union
From tomorrow, over one-thousand St John Ambulance Professionals will be taking an unusual form of strike action; they will be swapping out their regular St John uniforms for mufti and orange high-vis vests that read, ‘ Shift Our Pay’ . More >>
Strike of 180 Fuel Tanker Truck Drivers Could be Avoided
Monday, 3 December 2018, 7:26 pm | First Union
180 fuel tanker drivers at Pacific Fuel Haul have voted to walk off the job from December 16 for five days. The drivers are striking to protect modest redundancy provisions and for a fair and reasonable wage increase. More >>
Changes to migrant visas good but need to cover other visas
Tuesday, 27 November 2018, 5:31 pm | Union Network of Migrants
Changes to migrant visas good but need to cover other visas too – migrant networks and unions More >>
Workers at Godfrey Hirst carpets down tools
Friday, 23 November 2018, 4:29 pm | First Union
The New Zealand workers who make carpets for commercial and residential use at what’s touted as one of the top carpet manufacturers in the world have reached a stalemate with the company over wages and overtime. More >>
Bus drivers begin to share their stories on the picket line
Monday, 19 November 2018, 3:46 pm | First Union
The 120 Waikato bus drivers who’ve started picketing the Go Bus lockout today have begun to tell their harrowing employment stories. More >>
Living Wage iwi lock out bus drivers
Sunday, 18 November 2018, 4:09 pm | First Union
Iwi owned Go Bus Ltd has today issued a lock out notice to drivers in Hamilton. From 5am tomorrow morning bus drivers will not be able to access their workplace and will receive no income. More >>
Bus commuters in Waikato ride for free as protest continues
Friday, 16 November 2018, 8:46 am | FIRST Union
Christmas comes early for bus commuters in the Waikato this year as around 120 bus drivers will refuse to accept payment from passengers. Passengers will be receiving free rides on services provided by Go Bus in Hamilton, Te Awamutu, Otorohanga and ... More >>
Ambos open to further strike action
Wednesday, 14 November 2018, 9:02 am | First Union
Ambos open to further strike action as St John reluctant to request more Government funding for staff numbers and pay... More >>
Labour-hire firm adopts ethical standards in landmark move
Tuesday, 6 November 2018, 7:27 pm | First Union
Labour-hire firm adopts ethical standards in landmark move Along with a growing number of businesses requesting more ethical workforce solutions and evidence of loopholes in labour-hire law that allows the gross exploitation of hard-working New Zealanders, ... More >>
Union releases Work Passport for Migrant Workers
Tuesday, 6 November 2018, 4:03 pm | First Union
FIRST Union and its affiliates; the Union Network of Migrants (UNEMIG) and the Indian Workers’ Association (IWA) have released a handbook for migrant workers in New Zealand to share with their friends and families to help protect migrant workers ... More >>
New recommendations welcomed by finance union
Monday, 5 November 2018, 3:36 pm | FIRST Union
New Zealand bank review: recommended removal of sale targets and tighter government regulations welcomed by finance union More >>
Ambulance workers strike won’t risk patient safety
Thursday, 1 November 2018, 2:41 pm | First Union
Nearly a thousand ambulance professionals employed by St John have voted to take a sophisticated series of strike actions to ensure patient safety is not put at risk. More >>
Global food giant Bidfood fall foul of Employment Authority
Monday, 29 October 2018, 5:10 pm | First Union
If you bought lunch today it’s likely you’ve eaten food they’ve delivered. One of New Zealand’s largest wholesale food delivery companies (that delivers to restaurants and cafes) has just been slapped on the wrist by the New Zealand Employment ... More >>
National bus strike Tuesday: Drivers call for new standards
Monday, 22 October 2018, 9:20 am | First Union
Around a hundred drivers will take strike and picket action in Auckland while another hundred will strike and picket in the Waikato. Meanwhile bus drivers in Wellington will begin their indefinite strike on the same day (Tuesday, 23rd October). More >>
MPs agree there’s much more to do on safety in forestry
Thursday, 11 October 2018, 4:34 pm | First Union
Politicians have responded with shock to revelations from forestry and wood processing workers at a symposium on the future of work in the industry. More >>
