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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 22]
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 >>
Members bill to add a blanket of protection
Saturday, 26 May 2018, 11:50 am | First Union
Ambulance professionals are thankful those who assault first responders might in future receive tougher penalties. More >>
Council investigating Living Wage for Bus Drivers
Tuesday, 22 May 2018, 3:57 pm | FIRST Union
On Friday 18 May FIRST Union delegate Nat Tatana made a deputation to Waikato Regional Council Transport Committee about bus driver wages in the region. During his ten-minute presentation Nat expressed concern about the current wage rates for Bus Drivers, ... More >>
Funding could protect thousands of migrant workers
Thursday, 17 May 2018, 4:38 pm | FIRST Union
FIRST Union welcomes the Government’s announcement of 34 million dollars towards a beefing up of Labour Inspectors. More >>
Ritchies drivers in Auckland join bus strikes
Wednesday, 16 May 2018, 4:03 pm | First Union
Around 70 Ritchies Murphy drivers are to strike tomorrow morning as disputes over work and pay conditions roll to a stop. More >>
Union: Employees being asked to work without pay
Wednesday, 16 May 2018, 3:33 pm | First Union
FIRST Union has over the last 48 hours been collating complaints from union and non-union members in retail who allege their respective companies have been expecting (and in some instances asking verbally and in writing) employees to either stay back and ... More >>
Pavlovich bus drivers to strike in Auckland tomorrow
Tuesday, 15 May 2018, 10:35 am | First Union
Pavlovich drivers are again taking strike action as disputes over bus driver pay and work conditions continue to heat up with a handful of companies. Around 60 drivers will strike tomorrow morning (Wednesday, 16th May), and will instead be picketing ... More >>
FIRST Union response to Go Bus Hamilton
Sunday, 13 May 2018, 11:08 am | First Union
FIRST UNION response, comments can be attributed to Jared Abbott –Transport, Logistics and Manufacturing Secretary More >>
A win for Birkenhead bus drivers
Friday, 11 May 2018, 7:25 pm | First Union
Around 50 Birkenhead bus drivers on Auckland’s North Shore scheduled to take part in strike action have come to a satisfying arrangement with their employer. More >>
Kiwifruit Workers Alliance Launched
Wednesday, 9 May 2018, 5:12 pm | First Union
Kiwifruit Workers Alliance Launched While the business community’s response to a worker shortage in the Bay of Plenty is well known, workers who’re dealing with these issues every day have not yet had their say. In response to concerns workers ... More >>
FIRST Union refutes Go Bus claims over strike
Tuesday, 8 May 2018, 12:54 pm | First Union
FIRST Union is disappointed and astonished to find Go Bus throwing around factually incorrect statements as more drivers go on strike in its latest release titled ‘Union Action to Impact Otorohanga School Children’. More >>
Kiwifruit declaration – Union wants answers from government
Tuesday, 8 May 2018, 11:17 am | First Union
FIRST Union says the kiwifruit declaration is at odds with the Government’s regional development initiatives, and it’s also worrying for workers. More >>
Bus drivers in Te Awamutu and Otorohanga to strike tomorrow
Monday, 7 May 2018, 11:49 am | FIRST Union
Quiet, modest and semi-retired bus drivers are today talking picketing strategies following failed negotiations with Go Bus. Morale is high, but for most it’s their first strike. More >>
