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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 24]
Disappointment as JNL mothballs its LVL plant in Gisborne
Monday, 12 February 2018, 12:37 pm | First Union
A union representing workers at JNL’s Gisborne mill says it is disappointed the company is going ahead with its proposal to mothball its LVL plant. More >>
Workers relieved as new sawmill comes to Gisborne
Wednesday, 7 February 2018, 3:34 pm | First Union
The union representing dozens of sawmill workers whose jobs hang in the balance at JNL say they are pleased to see Far East Sawmills announce a move to Gisborne that could see up to 60 new jobs created. More >>
Labour-hire bill could lift thousands out of poverty
Friday, 2 February 2018, 3:18 pm | First Union
One of New Zealand’s largest trade unions is welcoming a private member’s bill that could give security to thousands of labour-hire workers. More >>
Union supports new rangatahi employment initiative
Friday, 26 January 2018, 5:21 pm | First Union
FIRST Union supports the new rangatahi employment initiative announced by Minister of Employment, Willie Jackson earlier today. “For too long our rangatahi in the regions have been neglected,” said FIRST Union kaumatua, Syd Keepa. “Contrary ... More >>
Employment law changes: “a good first step”
Thursday, 25 January 2018, 2:10 pm | First Union
The government’s proposed changes to employment law are a good first step in restoring balance and fairness to the employment relation system, according to FIRST Union General Secretary Dennis Maga. More >>
Bitter blow for Gisborne workers as up to 100 jobs could go
Tuesday, 23 January 2018, 4:03 pm | First Union
Up to 100 Gisborne jobs could go as JNL, the wood processing company, begins consulting on a proposal to nearly halve its workforce at its Gisborne mill. More >>
Bus drivers congratulate Bay of Plenty Regional Council
Wednesday, 13 December 2017, 10:48 am | First Union
Bus companies in the Bay of Plenty are on notice: pay drivers fairly, or risk missing out on public bus contracts. This comes after the Bay of Plenty Regional Council included drivers’ pay in the list of considerations it will take into account when ... More >>
Westpac to close 5 branches
Wednesday, 13 December 2017, 9:42 am | First Union
Westpac customers are vowing to close their accounts and take their business elsewhere if Westpac refuses to go back on its plan to close five branches across the country, the bank workers’ union has warned. More >>
Workers gutted after Dunedin votes for Easter Sunday trading
Monday, 11 December 2017, 4:10 pm | First Union
Workers “gutted” after Dunedin City Council votes for Easter Sunday trading Working people in Dunedin are “gutted” after the Dunedin City Council’s decision to allow Easter Sunday trading. That’s according to the union representing retail ... More >>
Fed-up truckies working 70 hour weeks - union
Monday, 11 December 2017, 8:56 am | First Union
The union representing the country’s truck drivers says low wages are forcing some truck drivers to clock working weeks up to 70 hours long. More >>
Union warns labour-hire ‘abusers’ after court finding
Thursday, 30 November 2017, 9:36 am | First Union
FIRST Union, the union representing thousands of labour-hire workers in the logistics industry, is warning major retail chains and logistics companies that the days of exploiting triangular employment arrangements are over. Triangular employment is ... More >>
Unions calls on Foodstuffs to pull store owners into line
Friday, 24 November 2017, 8:39 am | First Union
24 November 2017 Unions calls on Foodstuffs to pull store owners into line after ERA ruling The union representing workers at Foodstuffs South Island is calling on the co-operative’s CEO to pull rogue store owners into line after an Employment ... More >>
Workers win conversion rights for labour-hire workers
Monday, 13 November 2017, 10:58 am | First Union
A long-running dispute between Foodstuffs and its cold store distribution centre workers has been settled with union members winning conversion rights for the labour-hire workforce. More >>
“Protect family time,” Dunedin workers tell council
Monday, 13 November 2017, 8:38 am | First Union
13 November 2017 “Protect family time,” Dunedin workers tell council Union members and everyday Dunedin folk are preparing to gather outside the Dunedin Council Chambers at 9.15am today as the Easter trading debate goes to a council submissions hearing. ... More >>
Major changes at one of NZ’s largest trade unions
Thursday, 9 November 2017, 9:22 am | FIRST Union
FIRST Union, the union representing 27,500 New Zealanders in retail, finance and transport and logistics, is undergoing major changes as its President, General Secretary and Retail and Finance Secretary deliver their retirement speeches in Auckland this ... More >>
Bus and train workers unite to protest Auckland Transport
Wednesday, 8 November 2017, 2:26 pm | First Union
Bus drivers and train managers are uniting on Friday morning to deliver two petitions to Auckland Transport protesting the degradation of both bus and train services. More >>
Workers pleased with incoming government’s employment policy
Tuesday, 24 October 2017, 3:48 pm | First Union
FIRST Union, the union representing 27,000 working people across New Zealand, welcomed the incoming government’s employment relations policy this afternoon. More >>
Over 100 Jobs at Risk in BNZ restructure - FIRST Union
Tuesday, 17 October 2017, 8:56 am | First Union
Over 100 jobs at risk in massive BNZ restructure - FIRST union More than 100 jobs are at risk at BNZ as the banking giant enters a “massive” restructure in its branch network. FIRST Union, the union representing workers at BNZ and the country’s ... More >>
South Auckland bus drivers misled into breaking road rules
Wednesday, 27 September 2017, 3:34 pm | First Union
A union representing bus drivers is calling on Auckland Transport to come down hard on South Auckland bus operator Go Bus after claims it misled staff into breaking the law. More >>
Supermarket wrongly blames workers for empty chicken shelves
Monday, 11 September 2017, 4:09 pm | First Union
A notice on display at Pak’n Save Clendon blaming previous industrial action for no chicken being available has angered workers at the company’s distribution centre. FIRST Union, the union representing the distribution centre workers, has documents ... More >>
