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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]
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 >>
Christchurch pallet workers living in dire straits
Sunday, 26 August 2018, 9:24 pm | First Union
Christchurch pallet workers living in dire straits as company continues to haul in big profits 50 Christchurch workers who restore pallets for the distribution of many of New Zealand’s well-known products will be striking tomorrow over minimal ... More >>
Concrete truck drivers strike in Auckland
Sunday, 26 August 2018, 1:18 pm | First Union
Concrete truck drivers strike in Auckland over hours, pay and the exploitation of fellow workers Around 10 concrete truck drivers in Auckland are striking on Monday over long hours, low pay and the exploitation of their fellow migrant workers. The ... More >>
It’s not just the bus conditions
Wednesday, 22 August 2018, 4:50 pm | First Union
It’s not just the bus conditions, drivers are peeing in buckets The plight of bus drivers in the Waikato region has only worsened since they began raising serious concerns with Go Bus at the beginning of the year. The 120 drivers from Hamilton, ... More >>
Businesses urged to utilise support employment agencies
Tuesday, 21 August 2018, 12:15 pm | First Union
Statistics New Zealand has released its disability figures for the labour market showing disabled people are three times less likely to be in work , and more than twice as likely to be unemployed or underutilised (work part time and would like ... More >>
Oh that’s where they get their profits from!
Thursday, 16 August 2018, 4:39 pm | First Union
Inequality: a kick in the guts for hard working New Zealanders Today the National Business Review released its Rich List. For the first time, the combined value of the rich listers has tipped over the $100 billion dollar mark, that’s up 26% from ... More >>
Retail sector a prime opportunity to close gender pay gap
Wednesday, 15 August 2018, 5:21 pm | First Union
Statistics New Zealand has announced today the gender pay gap is the second smallest since records began 20 years ago, 9.2 percent for the June 2018 quarter. The lowest was 9.1 percent in 2012. More >>
Quarry workers win fair pay deal!
Tuesday, 14 August 2018, 3:50 pm | First Union
Around 20 quarry workers and concrete truck drivers who began striking at the start of the month near the Brynderwyn Hills have today reached a settlement with Atlas Quarry that gives the group between $2 and $4 dollars more an hour. More >>
Farmers workers pledge opposition to labour-hire
Monday, 13 August 2018, 5:21 pm | First Union
Distribution workers at Farmers are taking a stand in solidarity with their labour-hire colleagues who do not receive the protection of the same terms and conditions of permanent work. Some labour-hire employees have been working at the distribution ... More >>
