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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]
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 >>
Mass confusion hits workers at The Warehouse
Monday, 23 July 2018, 3:12 pm | First Union
Workers are frustrated with the mixed-messages from The Warehouse (TWL) as it confirms job losses. More >>
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 >>
