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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 19]
Future of Work for NZ's Forestry and Wood Processing
Thursday, 11 October 2018, 12:47 pm | First Union
A symposium to start a discussion on the future of work in forestry and wood processing has shown New Zealand is sitting on a mountain of un-tapped opportunity. More >>
Major stationery provider agrees to talks
Friday, 5 October 2018, 11:23 am | First Union
Yet another company has returned to the negotiation table following strike action taken by working people, the latest of which is one of New Zealand’s major stationery brands; Winc New Zealand. More >>
Go Bus forces members to strike to hold meeting
Wednesday, 3 October 2018, 4:03 pm | First Union
Over 100 bus drivers in the Waikato region had to take strike action today in order to meet to discuss the wage negotiations. Their employer, Go Bus, denied the drivers time away from work to meet regarding facilitated negotiations in Auckland despite ... More >>
Bus drivers strike in Waikato for the fourth time
Tuesday, 25 September 2018, 2:01 pm | First Union
Bus drivers strike in Waikato for the fourth time as ERA is brought in to assist talks Over a hundred drivers in the Waikato region will once again carry out strike and picket action (for the fourth time in relation to this round of bargaining) tomorrow ... More >>
Would you like a serving of unethical business practice
Sunday, 23 September 2018, 11:25 am | First Union
Summer isn’t far off and the tomatoes are just about ripe for the picking for the BBQ season but... More >>
Union outlines how to ease the struggles of labour-hire work
Thursday, 13 September 2018, 10:21 am | First Union
FIRST Union, the union representing over 2,500 labour-hire workers, has made its submission on behalf of workers to the Employment Relations (Triangular Employment) Amendment Bill today to a receptive committee as part of the Union’s Real Work ... More >>
FIRST Union’s Dennis Maga responds to misinformation
Wednesday, 12 September 2018, 7:25 pm | First Union
FIRST Union’s Dennis Maga responds to misinformation around the ERA and MECAs – invites Winston Peters and Shane Jones to lunch More >>
Christchurch pallet workers to picket once again
Wednesday, 12 September 2018, 6:30 pm | First Union
Christchurch pallet workers to picket once again over dismal pay rates – food parcels pour in from community 50 Christchurch workers who restore pallets for the distribution of many of New Zealand’s well-known products and who are striking ... More >>
Whakatane Pak n Save workers go on strike over minimum wage
Wednesday, 12 September 2018, 10:37 am | First Union
Pak n Save Whakatane staff will not be at work this afternoon (12/09/2018) as they strike over dismal, minimal pay rates. Around 30 employees will instead be picketing the store from 2:30pm with the strike lasting until 4:30pm. Media are invited to ... More >>
New wage deal at Countdown distribution sets bench mark
Wednesday, 12 September 2018, 9:44 am | First Union
Nearly a thousand workers covered by collective agreements at Countdown’s distribution centres (in Christchurch, Palmerston North, and Auckland), will see their hourly wage go to a minimum of $25 this year in a new deal that sets a new bench mark for ... More >>
Zero accuracy in business survey on ERA changes
Tuesday, 11 September 2018, 8:56 pm | First Union
The Employment and Manufacturers Association and Business New Zealand have released the annual Mood of the Boardroom survey in association with the New Zealand Herald. More >>
Thousands of workers show their support for ERA changes
Tuesday, 11 September 2018, 7:41 pm | First Union
Thousands of workers show their support for ERA changes Changes to employment law in the Employment Relations Amendment Bill are a topic of hot debate, today over 1000 workers showed their support for the proposed changes at Auckland’s Mt Smart ... More >>
Kaitaia workers left with more questions than answers
Tuesday, 11 September 2018, 7:40 pm | First Union
Workers at the JNL/ Juken Triboard Wood Products Mill in Kaitaia remain concerned after today’s company announcement that the mill would be undergoing a major upgrade, and around 40 jobs may be on the chopping block. More >>
Community demonstration to keep ANZ Martinborough open
Monday, 10 September 2018, 2:58 pm | First Union
Following ANZ’s announcement to close its Martinborough branch, community members will be linking arms around the branch to protest its proposed closure. More >>
CHEP Strikers March Against Unfair Wages
Tuesday, 4 September 2018, 9:34 am | First Union
Brambles owned CHEP Pallets staff in Christchurch are striking again after FIRST Union members have voted unanimously to walk off the job at the Hornby plant today at 2pm.Striking workers have decided to march to the local shopping mall to draw ... More >>
Bus drivers picket for a second day
Friday, 31 August 2018, 1:17 pm | First Union
Auckland bus drivers who work for Ritchies Murphy will be picketing again today from 3-5pm as part of strike action. The strike will include a BBQ picket - a few hours out of the day where drivers will walk off the job to have some down time socialising, ... More >>
Bus drivers protest at picnic picket
Thursday, 30 August 2018, 11:42 am | FIRST Union
Auckland bus drivers who work for Ritchies Murphy will be picketing from 3-5pm today as part of strike action. The strike will include a picnic picket - a few hours out of the day where drivers will walk off the job to have a BBQ and spend time with ... More >>
Christchurch pallet workers strike once again
Thursday, 30 August 2018, 10:54 am | FIRST Union
50 Christchurch workers who restore pallets for the distribution of many of New Zealand’s well-known products will be striking again tomorrow over low pay and large pay variations between company work sites. More >>
Waikato bus drivers strike for the third time
Tuesday, 28 August 2018, 4:40 pm | First Union
Over a hundred drivers in the Waikato region will once again carry out strike and picket action as the relationship with their employer Go Bus hits new lows. More >>
Christchurch pallet workers living in dire straits
Monday, 27 August 2018, 9:38 am | First Union
Christchurch pallet workers living in dire straits as company continues to haul in big profits More >>
