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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 40]
Auckland bus drivers vote against offer from NZ Bus
Monday, 17 September 2012, 1:52 pm | First Union
Media release: FIRST Union & Auckland Tramways Union Monday 17 September, 2012 Auckland bus drivers vote against offer from NZ Bus Auckland bus drivers have today voted to reject the latest offer from NZ Bus for the renewal of their collective ... More >>
Manufacturing figures confirm bad news for workers
Thursday, 13 September 2012, 12:49 pm | First Union
Media release: FIRST Union Thursday September 13, 2012 Manufacturing figures confirm bad news for workers Just-released manufacturing figures continue to paint a negative picture for workers in the productive sectors, a union for textiles and wood processing ... More >>
90 day trial not helping, union says
Thursday, 13 September 2012, 9:58 am | First Union
As pressure mounts on the government to front up with a response to the jobs crisis, their own policy which was designed to deal with unemployment is instead doing the opposite and is contributing to the labour market seizing up, a union for workers ... More >>
Warehouse and Briscoe: a tale of two retail chains
Friday, 7 September 2012, 3:36 pm | First Union
Despite both trading well, the contrast between two major retail chains who have announced profits this week is significant when it comes to how their workforce is treated, the retail workers’ union said today. More >>
Government procurement completely failing Kiwi jobs
Thursday, 6 September 2012, 4:59 pm | First Union
Media release: FIRST Union Thursday September 6, 2012 Government procurement completely failing Kiwi jobs As the unemployment crisis continues to bite, the government’s just-released procurement principles are a complete let down to workers in local ... More >>
Auckland bus drivers to step up industrial action
Tuesday, 4 September 2012, 11:18 pm | First Union
Joint Media Release: Auckland Tramways Union and FIRST Union Tuesday September 4, 2012 Cost of living pressures force Auckland bus drivers to step up industrial action An inability to convince their employers to properly value their work has prompted ... More >>
Banks back to pre-crisis profits while people still struggle
Friday, 31 August 2012, 9:59 am | First Union
Our big banks are back to pre financial crisis profits but staff and customers are still missing out, says the union representing bank workers. More >>
New migrant workers network to combat exploitative practises
Friday, 17 August 2012, 9:55 am | First Union
New migrant workers network to combat exploitative practises The launch of a new network to help migrant workers know their rights is very timely, following a TVNZ investigation this week of exploitative practises by employers of migrant workers. ... More >>
Monetary policy debate very timely
Thursday, 16 August 2012, 4:41 pm | First Union
Media Release: FIRST Union Thursday August 16, 2012 Monetary policy debate very timely As manufacturing again contracts in a survey out today, news that Parliament will debate our out-of-date monetary policy settings is very timely, FIRST Union said ... More >>
Wesfarmers Results See Bunnings Workers Looking For Dividend
Thursday, 16 August 2012, 4:17 pm | First Union
Media release: FIRST Union Thursday August 16, 2012 Strong Wesfarmers Results Sees Bunnings Workers Looking For Dividend News that Bunnings’ parent company in Australia has posted excellent profits today will be welcomed by their New Zealand workforce ... More >>
Jobless recovery for workers
Thursday, 9 August 2012, 1:21 pm | First Union
What little economic recovery there is remains a jobless recovery, FIRST Union said today. Unemployment has risen to 6.8% in today’s Household Labour Force Survey. More >>
Bus talks fail to reach agreement
Monday, 6 August 2012, 3:03 pm | First Union
Wage talks for Auckland bus drivers have finished without reaching agreement, bus industry unions said today. The Auckland Tramways Union and FIRST Union are negotiating for a new collective agreement with NZ Bus, to replace the current 2009-2012 agreement. More >>
$15 minimum wage a first step
Thursday, 26 July 2012, 5:00 pm | First Union
$15 an hour is still not a living wage, but a union representing low paid workers says that a members’ bill lifting the minimum wage to that rate will prompt Parliament to debate the issue of poverty wages. More >>
Redundancies at Fisher & Paykel Appliances in Auckland
Thursday, 19 July 2012, 1:54 pm | First Union
Joint media release: EPMU & FIRST Union July 19, 2012 Redundancies at Fisher & Paykel Appliances in Auckland New Zealand manufacturing has taken another hit this week, following confirmation from Fisher & Paykel Appliances that 29 workers ... More >>
Update on Auckland bus driver wage talks
Friday, 13 July 2012, 3:29 pm | First Union
Media Release: FIRST Union Friday July 13, 2012 Update on Auckland bus driver wage talks Unions representing Auckland bus drivers met with NZ Bus yesterday and today for two further days of negotiations. The Auckland Tramways Union and FIRST Union ... More >>
Manufacturing survey confirms concerns for workers
Thursday, 12 July 2012, 1:11 pm | First Union
Media Release: FIRST Union Thursday July 12, 2012 Manufacturing survey confirms concerns for workers Manufacturing workers are facing uncertain times in a sector largely unsupported by government policy, FIRST Union said today. Today’s Business NZ/BNZ ... More >>
Family time at Easter for retail workers safe
Thursday, 28 June 2012, 9:01 am | First Union
Shop workers will be delighted by the defeat in Parliament of yet another bill which would have made it harder for them to spend Easter with their families, the retail workers’ union said today. More >>
Auckland factory closure shows jobs strategy missing
Wednesday, 27 June 2012, 10:06 am | First Union
The closure of an Onehunga textiles factory is a huge loss for the workers concerned and the South Auckland community, the workers’ union said today. More >>
Key’s Top 10 list about as useful as his Letterman slot
Monday, 25 June 2012, 5:09 pm | First Union
John Key’s just-released Top 10 list is meaningless without a dedicated plan to grow jobs in the economy, FIRST Union said today. More >>
High risk in truck driver remuneration structure highlighted
Thursday, 21 June 2012, 10:21 am | First Union
A second report this week documenting poor remuneration for truck drivers leading to crashes must prompt action to better regulate drivers’ incomes and make our roads safer, their union said today. More >>
