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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 23]
Increased employment doesn’t tell the whole story
Wednesday, 2 May 2018, 6:25 pm | First Union
Increased employment doesn’t tell the whole story Statistics New Zealand has released its latest employment figures showing an increase in the percentage of New Zealanders in employment. But there’s more to the story and for the sake of the wellbeing ... More >>
Union calls for Royal Commission into NZ banking practices
Wednesday, 2 May 2018, 3:41 pm | First Union
FIRST Union, the Union for finance sector workers, welcomes news that the Financial Markets Authority and the Reserve Bank are looking into the business practices of New Zealand’s banks. The Union calls on the Government to go further, however, ... More >>
Government needs to consult with bus drivers
Thursday, 26 April 2018, 4:22 pm | First Union
Government needs to consult with bus drivers if it wants to get its transport plan right The government’s announcement of a whopping $28 billion dollars toward public transport today comes as another strike notice is issued from bus drivers. Birkenhead ... More >>
Global agreement signing good news for NZ Toll workers
Thursday, 26 April 2018, 11:41 am | FIRST Union
FIRST Union attended the signing of a unique, global collective agreement with transport, logistics and warehousing giant, Toll. More >>
UPDATE: Auckland bus strikes tomorrow
Wednesday, 18 April 2018, 7:40 pm | First Union
NZ Bus strike at the Onehunga depot is CANCELLED, the rest of NZ Bus strikes are pending negotiations. More >>
Union members from yet another bus company to strike
Wednesday, 18 April 2018, 2:33 pm | First Union
Pavlovich drivers are the latest to take part in strike action as disputes over bus driver pay and work conditions continue to heat up. More >>
Bus drivers to strike across Auckland this week
Monday, 16 April 2018, 12:33 pm | First Union
Bus drivers across eight Auckland depots are to take part in rolling strike action set for eight days between the 17th and 27th of April in a push for fairer pay and work conditions from NZ Bus. The company’s attempting to cut overtime in new worker’s ... More >>
Union launches ‘Worth It’ campaign to help retail workers
Thursday, 12 April 2018, 1:26 pm | First Union
Many retail workers in New Zealand currently survive on minimum wage rates and don’t have enough hours of work to live on. Pay rates and work hours are so low that employers struggle to fill vacancies, and a pay crisis is already in effect as the average ... More >>
Companies get on board union member’s living wage campaign
Thursday, 12 April 2018, 1:08 pm | First Union
In response to the current retail workers climate FIRST Union members have today launched their retail campaign Worth It in Auckland. Meanwhile members in retail and other sectors are celebrating Living Wage wins. More >>
Huckleberry backtrack – In negotiations with union
Thursday, 12 April 2018, 12:29 pm | First Union
FIRST Union is pleased to announce its calling off strike action this afternoon at the well-known organic grocery store Huckleberry’s in Grey Lynn (previously known as Harvest). More >>
Because workers are worth it
Wednesday, 11 April 2018, 9:42 am | First Union
Because workers are worth it. Union members at one of L’Oréal’s distribution centres have won their pay battle …and more. L’Oréal is showing businesses how it’s done in a workers world dominated by the business bottom dollar after workers ... More >>
Workers get to keep their jobs at The Warehouse Kaikohe
Thursday, 5 April 2018, 4:23 pm | First Union
The union representing The Warehouse workers is thankful the company has re-negotiated with its landlord so will now stay open in Kaikohe. More >>
FIRST Union hopeful The Warehouse might not close in Kaikohe
Thursday, 5 April 2018, 12:30 pm | First Union
The union representing The Warehouse workers is hopeful for a resolution this afternoon after being informed the company has re-opened negotiations with its landlord. More >>
Pending closure of Kaikohe Warehouse store
Thursday, 5 April 2018, 10:49 am | First Union
The union representing The Warehouse workers is shocked and dismayed at the proposed closure of the store in Kaikohe and is concerned the iconic Kiwi brand is no longer putting people first. More >>
Office drinking water providers to strike
Thursday, 29 March 2018, 10:08 am | First Union
Gossip around the water filter just became about the water filter itself. More >>
New law first step to regulate rogue labour-hire industry
Wednesday, 21 March 2018, 9:50 pm | First Union
A Bill giving rights to labour-hire workers, that has passed through first reading in parliament tonight, is a long overdue step to regulating the industry says a union representing over 2,500 labour-hire workers. More >>
Unionists calls for intervention from Auckland Transport
Wednesday, 14 March 2018, 11:15 am | FIRST Union
An international union leader is calling on Auckland Transport (AT) to review its’ operating model and engage in talks with unions to avoid a pending dispute. More >>
Private Members Bill Will Help Reduce Sexual Assault at Work
Thursday, 8 March 2018, 11:06 am | FIRST Union
A Private Members Bill, that will go to fist reading this month, will give rights for vulnerable workers to stomp out sexual attackers at work says a union representing thousands of Labour hire workers. More >>
Bus drivers warn of looming bus dispute
Thursday, 1 March 2018, 11:26 am | First Union
One of the unions representing Auckland’s bus drivers is calling on Auckland Transport to “pull it’s bus operators into line” in order to avoid disruptions to public transport. More >>
FIRST Union elect first Asian NZer to lead major trade union
Wednesday, 14 February 2018, 8:58 am | First Union
FIRST Union elects first Asian New Zealander to lead major trade union FIRST Union, New Zealand’s second-largest private sector trade union, is pleased to welcome its new General Secretary, Dennis Maga, who becomes the first New Zealander of Asian ... More >>
