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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 31]
Budget 2015: Working people miss out - union
Thursday, 21 May 2015, 3:00 pm | First Union
Returning some of the income that was stolen from beneficiaries in National’s welfare cuts in 1991 is not an adequate way to address poverty or reduce inequality says FIRST Union General Secretary Robert Reid. More >>
Lending restrictions leave workers with high housing costs
Wednesday, 13 May 2015, 1:06 pm | First Union
FIRST Union is welcoming the Reserve Bank’s new lending restrictions for property investors in Auckland, but believes the Government should be doing more to address the multiple issues that feed into the problem of Auckland’s housing affordability. More >>
Employer accreditation may not go far enough
Wednesday, 13 May 2015, 9:38 am | First Union
A group representing migrant workers is welcoming the government’s changes to Essential Skills visas , but concerns remain over the content of an accreditation scheme which aims to protect migrant workers against unscrupulous employers. More >>
More work needed to protect migrant workers
Friday, 8 May 2015, 12:29 pm | First Union
The Union Network of Migrants (UNEMIG) welcomes the Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2), but loopholes remain open that facilitate migrant worker exploitation, according to UNEMIG Migrant Workers’ Advocate Dennis Maga. More >>
Employment figures hide prevalence of insecure work
Wednesday, 6 May 2015, 2:51 pm | First Union
Today’s unemployment figures are hiding the prevalence of insecure work in New Zealand, according to FIRST Union General Secretary Robert Reid. More >>
Classing kava as a drug is discriminatory
Wednesday, 6 May 2015, 10:32 am | First Union
After failing to consult with unions or community groups, the New Zealand Drug Detection Agency will begin testing workers for kava use says FIRST Union organiser Jerome Mika. More >>
Company closure leaves workers in the dark
Tuesday, 5 May 2015, 12:25 pm | First Union
While creditors and contractors take action to recover their assets in Kiwi Forestry International and Harvest Pro , workers in the subsidiary company Smith & Davies are still in the dark over their employment status says FIRST Union General Secretary ... More >>
ANZ announces interim results amidst potential hours cuts
Tuesday, 5 May 2015, 11:16 am | First Union
While ANZ announces an impressive half year result , hours reductions remain a threat for ANZ workers in New Zealand says FIRST Union national organiser Tali Williams. More >>
Unite defeats zero hour contracts, but new examples emerge
Friday, 1 May 2015, 1:45 pm | First Union
FIRST Union is congratulating Unite Union on their win against zero hour contracts at McDonalds, says FIRST Union General Secretary Robert Reid. More >>
ANZ proposes casualisation in Whangarei stores
Thursday, 30 April 2015, 1:49 pm | First Union
ANZ workers in Whangarei could see their incomes drop by 20 to 40 percent if the bank’s proposal to reduce the number of full-time positions goes ahead says FIRST Union national organiser Tali Williams. More >>
Potential job losses at Carter Holt Harvey subsidiary
Wednesday, 29 April 2015, 2:41 pm | First Union
In response to media inquiries FIRST Union can confirm that members at Bestwood, a division of Carter Holt Harvey Woodproducts, have been advised of a proposal by Carter Holt Harvey (CHH) to sell the division to New Zealand Panel Group. More >>
RMTU may take a test case if MBIE doesn’t
Wednesday, 29 April 2015, 11:45 am | First Union
The government must seek a definitive answer on whether Chinese engineers working on KiwiRail’s locomotives are covered under New Zealand employment law says Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) General Secretary Wayne Butson. More >>
Thousands say NO to Investors’ Rights to Sue
Friday, 24 April 2015, 4:38 pm | First Union
Over 4,700 Kiwis have told the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee that they oppose giving foreign investors’ the right to sue NZ when we change our laws, according to It’s Our Future spokesperson Edward Miller. More >>
Low inflation means it’s time for a pay rise
Monday, 20 April 2015, 2:54 pm | First Union
With inflation falling for the second quarter in a row now is the perfect time for a pay rise for workers says FIRST Union General Secretary Robert Reid. More >>
KiwiRail can’t outsource responsibility
Friday, 17 April 2015, 7:38 pm | First Union
The government must guarantee New Zealanders that Chinese engineers working on KiwiRail’s locomotives are at least receiving the minimum wage says Rail and Maritime Transport Union spokesperson Todd Valster. More >>
Ban employers who exploit migrant workers
Thursday, 2 April 2015, 12:35 pm | First Union
The government may need to consider greater sanctions for employers who exploit migrant workers says Union Network of Migrants (Unemig) coordinator Dennis Maga. More >>
Pak’n Save workers in wage stand-off
Thursday, 2 April 2015, 10:32 am | First Union
Low pay offers mean Pak’n Save is beginning to earn a reputation as “Pak’n Slave” says FIRST Union senior organiser Bill Bradford. More >>
Rest and meal breaks restored at Cotton On
Wednesday, 1 April 2015, 1:05 pm | First Union
Workers from the Cotton On distribution centre are welcoming substantial improvements in wages and working conditions says FIRST Union General Secretary Robert Reid. More >>
First use of the “tea break” law revealed
Monday, 23 March 2015, 3:02 pm | First Union
Cotton On, the Australian retail chain with over 80 stores in New Zealand, has become one of the first companies to try and take advantage of the new “tea break” law says FIRST Union General Secretary Robert Reid. “Last year the government removed ... More >>
Workers take a stand at Pak'n Save Rotorua
Friday, 20 March 2015, 11:11 am | First Union
Workers will hit the picket line after FIRST Union members at Pak'n Save Rotorua unanimously endorsed a call for action says FIRST Union senior organiser Bill Bradford. The demonstration against bullying and intimidation will take place outside Pak'n ... More >>
