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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 30]
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 >>
Warehouse workers still striking after low wage offer
Friday, 4 September 2015, 11:56 am | First Union
After strikes at the Warehouse Manukau, Blenheim and New Lynn, workers at the Warehouse Rotorua will walk off the job at 12pm today says FIRST Union organiser Dennis Maga. More >>
Bunnings workers vote for strike action
Thursday, 3 September 2015, 1:00 pm | First Union
Workers at Bunnings Mount Maunganui are walking off the job at 1pm today after learning that the company is proposing a change which will remove the right to determine their start and finish times, says FIRST Union Retail and Finance Secretary Maxine Gay. More >>
Spectacular half-year result amid low wage
Thursday, 20 August 2015, 11:24 am | First Union
While the New Zealand Refining Company Limited posts a spectacular half-year profit , a union representing workers at the site is questioning whether a proposed 0.5% pay rise is all the company can afford. More >>
Warehouse New Lynn workers vote for strike action
Tuesday, 11 August 2015, 3:14 pm | First Union
In a strike ballot held at 3pm today, workers at the Warehouse New Lynn have voted for strike action. More >>
Industrial unrest spreads as Warehouse workers reject wage
Tuesday, 11 August 2015, 12:39 pm | First Union
Striking workers at the Warehouse Blenheim are calling on the company to live up to its own rhetoric and pay a decent wage, says FIRST Union organiser Dennis Maga. More >>
Workers at the Warehouse Manukau walk off the job
Thursday, 6 August 2015, 1:58 pm | First Union
Union members at the Warehouse Manukau are undertaking a “wildcat” strike* after rejecting the company’s measly offer of a 30 cent wage increase, says FIRST Union organiser Dennis Maga. More >>
Unemployment figures highlight “vulnerable” economy
Wednesday, 5 August 2015, 11:35 am | First Union
Figures released today revealing a rise in the unemployment rate demonstrate that the government’s mismanagement of the economy is keeping the country in a low-wage, high unemployment rut says FIRST Union General Secretary Robert Reid. More >>
Business “appalled” with government’s treatment of KiwiRail
Thursday, 30 July 2015, 10:20 am | First Union
The rail workers’ union is backing calls from Mainfreight chairman Bruce Plested for “more positive support for long-term rail infrastructure”, says Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) General Secretary Wayne Butson. More >>
Watered down health and safety bill
Friday, 24 July 2015, 2:21 pm | First Union
Despite major unions and many business associations uniting in a call for better health and safety standards, the select committee report into the Health and Safety Reform Bill reveals that the government has surrendered to pressure from a small ... More >>
Union calls for urgency over new laws to end child labour
Monday, 20 July 2015, 10:52 am | First Union
After receiving notification of what appears to be several child labour cases in Apia, Samoa First Union is reminding parents and employers that child labour is unethical and can even be illegal under local and international law. More >>
Disappointment as Westpac closes Ruatorea branch
Monday, 13 July 2015, 8:13 pm | First Union
After a spirited campaign to save Westpac Ruatorea, bank bosses have ignored the community and confirmed that the Ruatorea branch will close says FIRST Union national organiser Tali Williams. More >>
Proposed bus rosters put passengers at risk – union
Tuesday, 7 July 2015, 10:10 am | First Union
The unions representing bus drivers have filed an urgent claim in the Employment Relations Authority as NZ Bus, a bus provider for Auckland Transport, refuses to meaningfully consult over proposed rosters which could lead to driver fatigue and ... More >>
Foodstuffs confirms closures
Friday, 26 June 2015, 11:15 am | First Union
Foodstuffs has confirmed that it will close its Gilmours wholesalers in Henderson, Panmure and Rotorua as well as its Toops wholesalers in New Plymouth and Napier says FIRST Union General Secretary Robert Reid. More >>
Foodstuffs looks at closing its cash and carry stores
Wednesday, 24 June 2015, 9:30 am | First Union
Local supermarket giant Foodstuffs is proposing the closure of 5 of its 12 Gilmours and Toops food trade stores in the North Island, but FIRST Union General Secretary Robert Reid is questioning the business case to support the closures. More >>
