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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 21]
Bus driver assaults just the tip of the iceberg
Thursday, 19 July 2018, 8:19 pm | First Union
Bus driver assaults just the tip of the iceberg… A bus driver has come forward to tell her harrowing assault story. The driver, who wishes to remain anonymous, was dropping off passengers on her night route in Mangere on July 4th when she was ... More >>
Worker input on safety is needed for the forestry industry
Wednesday, 18 July 2018, 4:35 pm | First Union
Worker input on safety guidelines and funding for safety training is needed for the forestry industry FIRST Union is deeply saddened by the death of Shannon David Omlo of Tapawera in a forestry accident near Nelson yesterday. FIRST Union extends ... More >>
Kmart steps in where The Warehouse fails
Monday, 16 July 2018, 2:24 pm | First Union
FIRST Union is pleased to announce retailer Kmart has stepped in where The Warehouse has failed, it has promised priority placement of 60 Red Shed workers at 14 of its stores nationwide. More >>
Regions hit hardest by job losses at The Warehouse
Friday, 13 July 2018, 3:07 pm | First Union
Last month The Warehouse announced 180 jobs were on the line across 92 stores. FIRST Union is now able to reveal the full figures for the proposed job losses at the company. More >>
Supermarket giant agrees to super-wage deal
Saturday, 7 July 2018, 12:33 pm | First Union
A new agreement between Foodstuffs North Island (distribution centres) and FIRST Union sets a company-wide precedent for good employment relations within the sector. More >>
Call on Farmers to end performance pay and pay a Living Wage
Thursday, 5 July 2018, 5:15 pm | FIRST Union
The pavement outside the Lambton Quay branch of Farmers was full of workers calling on Farmers to end performance pay and pay a Living Wage. More >>
VIDEO/ AUDIO: footage of workers at Farmers St Lukes
Thursday, 5 July 2018, 3:42 pm | First Union
FIRST Union organiser Kate Davis says the turnout at today’s pickets was overwhelming and quite unexpected. More >>
Hundreds of Farmers workers walk off the job nationwide
Wednesday, 4 July 2018, 4:01 pm | First Union
Hundreds of Farmers workers walk off the job nationwide Farmers retail stores will be empty of a few hundred staff tomorrow afternoon as workers walk off the job over low pay and unfair pay reviews. Beauty, sales and service assistants nationwide have ... More >>
New Pharmacy workers division at FIRST Union
Saturday, 30 June 2018, 12:33 pm | First Union
FIRST Union is opening a Pharmacy Division within union membership in response to a higher volume of requests from both Pharmacists and shop Sales Assistants at pharmacies across New Zealand. More >>
Community rallies around Pak n Save workers
Friday, 29 June 2018, 7:09 pm | First Union
Hastings Pak n’ Save workers are picketing their store once again as the owner refuses to listen to their concerns. More >>
New bosses at The Warehouse don’t know how to do business
Friday, 29 June 2018, 7:08 pm | First Union
New bosses at The Warehouse just don’t know how to do business in New Zealand Jobs are on the line for 180 people across 99 stores at The Warehouse. The announcement of proposed staff cuts was made to Warehouse staff yesterday. FIRST Union organiser ... More >>
More bus strikes on the horizon for Auckland
Wednesday, 27 June 2018, 3:36 pm | First Union
More bus strikes on the horizon for Auckland Ritchies Murphy bus drivers will strike tomorrow morning following an incredibly frustrating series of failed negotiations over pay and work conditions with more expected to follow. The strike of around 60-70 ... More >>
Survey demonstrates sales pressure is rife in NZ banks
Monday, 25 June 2018, 3:02 pm | First Union
A recent survey of over 600 union members working at ANZ, BNZ and Westpac demonstrates that sales culture is rife in the New Zealand banking sector. More >>
Union hopes ComCom decision will ensure fair play
Friday, 15 June 2018, 4:14 pm | First Union
There are fears the growing centralised ownership within the business of stationery and office supplies could eventually lead to a monopoly on the New Zealand market, and a loss of around 100 jobs. More >>
Workers gather to picket Pak n’ Save Hastings
Friday, 15 June 2018, 3:05 pm | First Union
Butchers, bakery, and deli staff along with shop floor workers will be picketing out the front of Pak n’ Save Hastings following multiple failed negotiations on unfair pay rates. More >>
A series of workers’ pickets will kick off
Thursday, 7 June 2018, 2:58 pm | First Union
A series of workers’ pickets will kick off in the heart of Auckland retail tomorrow Retail workers and their supporters will be making a statement in the centre of Auckland’s bustling Queen Street tomorrow over pay and performance conditions. Auckland Farmers ... More >>
Workers’ pickets in the heart of Auckland retail tomorrow
Wednesday, 6 June 2018, 5:34 pm | FIRST Union
A series of workers’ pickets will kick off in the heart of Auckland retail tomorrow More >>
Fair Pay workgroup exciting announcement but…
Tuesday, 5 June 2018, 4:48 pm | First Union
Fair Pay workgroup exciting announcement but… Urgency cannot be underrated when it comes to worker welfare There’s huge relief for every New Zealand worker this afternoon as the Government signals a return to supporting industry standards. Labour’s ... More >>
Migrant immigration changes good - union
Tuesday, 5 June 2018, 2:51 pm | First Union
Migrant networks welcome the new proposed immigration changes but more regulation is needed to protect international students already here, and also non-union migrant workers. More >>
Auckland Go Bus drivers to strike over dangerous conditions
Monday, 28 May 2018, 4:13 pm | First Union
Following a series of strikes in Auckland and the Waikato region with a handful of companies, 60 Go Bus drivers in Auckland will be the latest to take industrial action. The action will commence early Tuesday morning and commuters in South Auckland are ... More >>
