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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 25]
There’s no bus driver shortage in NZ, says union
Tuesday, 16 May 2017, 5:27 pm | First Union
A union representing bus drivers is disputing the Bus and Coach Association’s claim that there is a bus driver shortage in New Zealand. More >>
Former Pumpkin Patch employees “over the moon”
Wednesday, 3 May 2017, 9:31 am | First Union
After almost six months of nervous waiting, former distribution centre staff at collapsed children’s retailer Pumpkin Patch are “over the moon” as KordaMentha confirms former staff at Pumpkin Patch Ltd (PPL) will receive their redundancy entitlements ... More >>
Report calls for culture change at Aussie-owned banks
Thursday, 27 April 2017, 10:48 am | FIRST Union
The union representing finance workers in New Zealand’s four majors – the Australian-owned ANZ, ASB, BNZ and Westpac – is urging New Zealand executives to adopt the recommendations on retail banking practice and culture in the recently released Sedgwick report. More >>
Delay in ambulance funding review putting patients at risk
Friday, 21 April 2017, 9:41 am | First Union
The union representing approximately 1000 ambulance professionals in New Zealand is outraged at excessive delays to the Health Funding Review. More >>
FIRST Union congratulates care workers, prepares new claim
Tuesday, 18 April 2017, 4:25 pm | First Union
FIRST Union is congratulating care workers, their unions - E tū, NZNO and the PSA - and pay equity champion Kristine Bartlett for securing an offer of a historic pay equity settlement. More >>
Merger of stationary giants will cost jobs - union
Thursday, 13 April 2017, 9:27 am | FIRST Union
“A proposed merger of US stationary giants OfficeMax and Staples, the two largest office supply companies in New Zealand, will see the destruction of a large number of jobs if it proceeds,” said Robert Reid, General Secretary of FIRST Union. The ... More >>
Union calls for action on OECD redundancy report
Friday, 7 April 2017, 10:49 am | First Union
FIRST Union is condemning Workplace Relations Minister Michael Woodhouse for refusing to act on an OECD report showing New Zealanders who are made redundant tend to suffer a drop in wages and job security. More >>
Investigation into Ceres’ organic certification requested
Friday, 7 April 2017, 10:26 am | FIRST Union
The union representing distribution centre workers at organic food giant Ceres has written to BioGro NZ, the company’s organic certifier, to request a discussion and investigation into whether Ceres is meeting the social justice standards required ... More >>
Ceres “Certified” Organics workers take strike action
Thursday, 30 March 2017, 11:27 am | First Union
Approximately 10 distribution centre workers at Ceres Organics, an “ethical” food supplier, are taking strike action today as the workers’ union accuses the company of failing to meet ethical certification standards. More >>
Community joins the picket line as car part workers strike
Wednesday, 29 March 2017, 3:03 pm | FIRST Union
Disgruntled distribution centre workers at BNT (Brakes and Transmission), the Australian-owned car parts supplier, took their sixth round of strike action today alongside approximately seventy supporters from the Auckland community. More >>
Easter trading has Aucklanders worried
Friday, 24 March 2017, 12:36 pm | First Union
A union representing thousands of working people in retail says Auckland Council’s decision to consult on possible Easter trading changes is putting retail workers offside. More >>
Pumpkin Patch a “damaged” brand, former staff remain unpaid
Thursday, 23 March 2017, 1:39 pm | First Union
The union representing former distribution centre staff at collapsed children’s retailer Pumpkin Patch is warning the Catch Group, the brand’s new buyer, that the brand’s reputation will be further damaged as former distribution centre and ... More >>
Workers described as “pimple on a pumpkin” return to work
Tuesday, 21 March 2017, 1:56 pm | First Union
BNT (Brakes and Transmission), the Australian-owned car parts supplier, is struggling to get products to the market after workers at its Auckland distribution centre walked off the job for the fifth time on Friday. More >>
Waiuku truckies take action
Thursday, 16 February 2017, 9:21 am | First Union
Truck drivers at Knight and Dickey, the Waiuku-based haulage firm, are taking strike action from 6am on Thursday to protest what they say are some of the lowest wages in the region More >>
Australian company Bapcor runs into trouble as it enters NZ
Friday, 10 February 2017, 1:16 pm | FIRST Union
Distribution centre workers at Auckland-based car parts supplier Brake and Transmission (BNT), now owned by the Australian company Bapcor after its takeover of Hellaby , walked off the job today - the third time in as many months - as negotiations stall. More >>
FIRST Union and St John reach deal
Friday, 10 February 2017, 10:29 am | First Union
Ambulance Professionals First, the network within FIRST Union representing ambulance officers, and St John Ambulance have reached an agreement that union representatives will be recommending to members. More >>
High housing costs and low wages force strike action
Thursday, 26 January 2017, 10:38 am | First Union
Distribution centre workers at Auckland-based car parts supplier Brake and Transmission (BNT) walked off the job this morning - the second time in as many months - as the company continues postponing negotiations. More >>
Final day of work for Pumpkin Patch staff
Wednesday, 25 January 2017, 2:39 pm | First Union
Today is the final day of work for the distribution centre staff at children’s retail giant Pumpkin Patch. This brings the company’s 27-year run to an end. “It’s sad day for distribution centre staff, some of whom have been with the company from ... More >>
St John apply to end bargaining with FIRST Union
Friday, 6 January 2017, 5:12 pm | First Union
The union representing over 1000 St John Ambulance staff has today received confirmation from the Employment Relations Authority that St John has lodged an application to withdraw from bargaining without concluding a collective agreement. If St John were ... More >>
Paramedics’ wages deducted as contract dispute escalates
Thursday, 5 January 2017, 1:48 pm | First Union
The union representing 1000 ambulance officers across the country is condemning St John’s decision to deduct 10% off the wages of ambulance officers taking strike action. More >>
