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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 20]
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 >>
Waikato bus drivers strike over unsafe work conditions
Monday, 13 August 2018, 4:22 pm | First Union
Around 120 drivers from Hamilton, Otorohanga, and Te Awamutu will walk off the job tomorrow from 5:30am until midnight to show their frustration at low pay and bad work conditions. The drivers will gather for a picket outside the Hamilton Transport ... More >>
Migrant groups welcome new immigration changes
Thursday, 9 August 2018, 8:26 pm | First Union
Migrant groups welcome new immigration changes The Union Network of Migrants (UNEMIG) and Indian Workers Association (IWA) welcome the new immigration changes announced today. We made submissions on behalf of migrants and requested migrants to also do ... More >>
FIRST Union welcomes Government probe into bus industry
Thursday, 9 August 2018, 8:02 pm | First Union
FIRST Union welcomes Government probe into bus industry in New Zealand Transport Minister Phil Twyford has announced a Government investigation into bus safety in New Zealand following three bus crashes within 10 days. He says the Ministry of Transport ... More >>
International students will protest unreliable PTEs
Thursday, 9 August 2018, 10:29 am | First Union
Around 20-50 International students will be picketing outside the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) offices in central Auckland tomorrow (Thursday 9/8/2018) at 12.30pm. More >>
Disgruntled international students will protest
Wednesday, 8 August 2018, 7:15 pm | First Union
Disgruntled international students will protest due to unreliable PTEs Around 20-50 International students will be picketing outside the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) offices in central Auckland tomorrow (Thursday 9/8/2018) at ... More >>
Lockout on quarry workers in Northland lifted
Wednesday, 8 August 2018, 4:42 pm | First Union
A lockout proposed to last until August 12 on quarry workers in the Brynderwyn Hills has been lifted. More >>
FIRST Union applauds ANZ
Wednesday, 8 August 2018, 12:44 pm | First Union
Following heated debate around sales targets in the banking sector in recent months, and years of campaigning by Union members, FIRST Union is very glad to see that ANZ has this morning announced the removal sales targets from its frontline retail staff. More >>
Quarry owner-operator locks workers out of work
Tuesday, 7 August 2018, 2:38 pm | First Union
In a very rare turn of events quarry workers in the Brynderwyn hills have been locked out of their work site until Sunday August 12. More >>
Bunnings agrees to pay Living Wage to staff
Tuesday, 7 August 2018, 10:52 am | First Union
FIRST Union retail members’ Worth It living wage campaign for retail workers has had its first major win. Due to the patience and perseverance of Bunnings union members at collective bargaining, the company has offered the Living Wage ($20.55) to staff. ... More >>
Red ribbon wraps its way around Aotearoa
Thursday, 2 August 2018, 4:36 pm | First Union
Red ribbon wraps its way around Aotearoa in solidarity of workers Worth It campaign As part of FIRST Union’s stop work meetings at 58 locations around the country (more than 5,300 attendees), retail workers will be signing one of our largest banners ... More >>
Quarry and concrete truck drivers strike for three days
Thursday, 2 August 2018, 4:13 pm | First Union
Approximately 20 Atlas Quarry workers and concrete truck drivers in the Brynderwyn hills are taking action over pay and hours over the next two days (started today). More >>
FIRST Union condemns brutal dispersal of workers
Wednesday, 1 August 2018, 6:57 pm | First Union
FIRST Union condemns brutal dispersal of workers in NutriAsia Philippines It’s alleged heavy-handed police have assaulted protesters and hired a mole to impersonate a protester with a gun to justify their inhumane and barbarous treatment of protesters. ... More >>
When is a worker a contractor versus an employee?
Wednesday, 1 August 2018, 10:21 am | First Union
FIRST Union plans to seek a determination in the Employment Court as to whether courier drivers are employees and therefore covered by employment legislation. The decision to do so follows a two-week long exposure by John Campbell on Radio New Zealand’s ... More >>
Government must demand the release of Unite’s Mike Treen
Monday, 30 July 2018, 9:17 pm | First Union
NZ Government must demand the release of Unite’s Mike Treen as Israeli Military violates International Law Unite Union leader Mike Treen has been attacked and detained by Israeli military whilst on a peaceful aid convoy to Gaza. FIRST Union Divisional ... More >>
Red ribbon wraps its way around Aotearoa
Monday, 30 July 2018, 8:52 pm | First Union
As part of FIRST Union’s stop work meetings at 58 locations around the country (more than 5,300 attendees), retail workers will be signing one of our largest banners ever in support of the three tenets of our Worth It campaign. The campaign calls ... More >>
New Zealand Workers Winners in Pay Equity Change
Saturday, 28 July 2018, 11:40 am | First Union
New Zealand Workers Winners in Pay Equity Change Pay equity has arrived at Toll Logistics, without government or legal intervention, thanks to a new Collective Agreement ratified this week. The signing of a new Global Framework Agreement facilitated by ... More >>
Workers to begin picketing labour-hire companies
Thursday, 26 July 2018, 2:15 pm | First Union
The union representing over 2,500 labour-hire workers will begin picketing labour-hire companies from today as they call for labour-hire companies to improve business practice, and for the Government to take action to address the exploitation of labour-hire ... More >>
Workers to begin picketing labour-hire companies today
Thursday, 26 July 2018, 1:07 pm | First Union
The union representing over 2,500 labour-hire workers will begin picketing labour-hire companies from today as they call for labour-hire companies to improve business practice, and for the Government to take action to address the exploitation of labour-hire ... More >>
Smith City turns a corner to a more progressive work future
Tuesday, 24 July 2018, 11:05 am | First Union
FIRST Union is pleased Smith City has joined the workers’ movement towards a more progressive work future for all New Zealanders. More >>
