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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 29]
Bunnings workers to strike
Friday, 18 December 2015, 1:13 pm | FIRST Union
• Over 100 Bunnings workers in the Wellington, Manawatu and Gisborne regions have voted to strike for the rest of today; More >>
Up to 850 Bunnings workers to strike this week
Wednesday, 16 December 2015, 1:38 pm | FIRST Union
Up to 850 Bunnings workers to strike this week • Workers from 21 stores met at 11am and voted to strike for the day; • This is the largest strike in the retail sector this year and disruption for Christmas shoppers is expected; • Workers from ... More >>
Christchurch asset sales a mistake – union
Wednesday, 9 December 2015, 3:37 pm | FIRST Union
One of New Zealand’s leading private sector unions is condemning the Christchurch City Council’s decision to flog off City Care, the publically-owned infrastructure services provider. More >>
Disruption expected as New World workers take public stand
Wednesday, 2 December 2015, 10:21 am | First Union
Christmas shoppers at Westfield Albany can expect disruption in the run-up to Christmas as New World workers take a public stand for better pay and conditions, says FIRST Union national organiser Bill Bradford. More >>
Mount Maunganui Bunnings workers strike for the 5th time
Friday, 27 November 2015, 3:10 pm | FIRST Union
Mount Maunganui workers strike for the 5th time as Bunnings buries its head in the sand More >>
Homelessness report a call to action – union
Wednesday, 18 November 2015, 10:27 am | FIRST Union
The Salvation Army’s recently released report into homelessness in Auckland is a call to action over the housing crisis, says FIRST Union General Secretary Robert Reid. More >>
Linfox workers strike as managers start work
Wednesday, 4 November 2015, 1:09 pm | FIRST Union
Auckland distribution centre workers at the Australian logistics giant Linfox walked off the job at 11.30am today in protest at the way the company is treating its New Zealand-based workers, says FIRST Union organiser Bryce Hamilton. “Despite helping ... More >>
Bunnings workers strike to “save our family time”
Friday, 16 October 2015, 3:32 pm | First Union
Workers at Bunnings New Lynn, Botany, Mt Wellington and Manukau will walk off the job tomorrow, meaning further disruption for Auckland DIYers after a national strike at the end of September . More >>
Treaty of Waitangi bottom line not satisfied in TPPA – union
Tuesday, 13 October 2015, 9:55 am | FIRST Union
Treaty of Waitangi bottom line not satisfied in TPPA – union The President of a leading trade union opponent of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) is warning New Zealanders that we cannot be sure whether the deal enforces protection ... More >>
FIRST Union stands in solidarity with E Tū
Wednesday, 7 October 2015, 1:25 pm | FIRST Union
FIRST Union congratulates E Tū, New Zealand’s newest and largest private sector union, on its formation. More >>
TPPA a “betrayal” – union
Tuesday, 6 October 2015, 8:17 am | FIRST Union
The government has betrayed the interests of working New Zealanders by signing the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), says FIRST Union General Secretary Robert Reid. “The TPPA is a threat to our sovereignty.” “Under the deal our ability ... More >>
Strike off as Toll Logistics agrees to meet workers’ demands
Monday, 5 October 2015, 4:28 pm | First Union
After workers commenced strike action at Toll Logistics this morning, the company has agreed to conclude a new collective agreement and settle outstanding legal cases, says FIRST Union organiser Jared Abbott. More >>
Toll workers strike after underpayments
Monday, 5 October 2015, 10:10 am | First Union
Over 20 striking workers from Toll Logistics in Auckland are calling on Toll Australia and owners Japan Post to immediately investigate a series of systemic breaches to their collective agreement and stalled wage negotiations that they say are giving ... More >>
Tanker driver strike unlikely, company meets workers’ demand
Wednesday, 30 September 2015, 12:46 pm | First Union
After the prospect of a four-day tanker driver strike, Pacific Fuel Haul is backing down and has agreed to meet workers’ demands, says FIRST Union organiser Jared Abbott. More >>
26/10: Wellington workers join national strike at Bunnings
Monday, 28 September 2015, 10:13 am | First Union
After strikes at Bunnings stores in Auckland and the Manawatu on Friday, workers from Bunnings stores across Wellington are joining 14 other stores in a national strike at the Australian-owned hardware chain, says FIRST Union Wellington organiser ... More >>
Workers from 17 Bunnings stores to strike as unrest spreads
Friday, 25 September 2015, 3:17 pm | First Union
After strikes in Auckland and the Manawatu today, workers from an additional 17 Bunnings stores will strike tomorrow in a national day of action, announces FIRST Union Retail and Finance Secretary Maxine Gay. More >>
Bunnings strikes continue
Friday, 25 September 2015, 1:30 pm | First Union
After workers from four stores held a strike outside Bunnings head office yesterday , other stores are following suit as workers from Bunnings Botany and Mt Wellington prepare to picket outside the Botany store at midday today, says FIRST Union Retail ... More >>
Retail strike wave hits Bunnings
Thursday, 24 September 2015, 2:07 pm | First Union
70 Bunnings workers from four Auckland stores striked outside the company’s head office between 12.30pm and 1.30pm today; More >>
Union backs community calls to lift refugee intake
Friday, 18 September 2015, 4:31 pm | First Union
New Zealand’s second-largest private sector union is backing calls to significantly lift the refugee intake amidst reports that a family of climate change refugees could be deported within the next week. More >>
Union welcomes prosecution in the Masala case
Tuesday, 8 September 2015, 2:24 pm | First Union
The guilty plea from two managers of the popular Indian restaurant chain Masala will act as a warning to other unscrupulous managers, says Union Network of Migrants (UNEMIG) co-ordinator Dennis Maga. More >>
