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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 52]
Budget good for banks – how about customers?
Thursday, 28 May 2009, 4:19 pm | Finsec
Bank workers’ union Finsec says that by allowing the rating agencies to call the tune the government has delivered a good budget for banks but not for their staff and customers, with its primary focus on reducing debt in order to maintain the country’s ... More >>
NDU addresses manufacturing crisis
Tuesday, 19 May 2009, 9:48 am | National Distribution Union
The crisis in the manufacturing sector is the theme of a National Distribution Union (NDU) conference of delegates in Palmerston North over the next two days. The NDU represents manufacturing workers in the textile, wood and food processing sectors. ... More >>
Fighting fund launched for Lane Walker Rudkin work
Monday, 18 May 2009, 4:50 pm | National Distribution Union
“Overwhelming public generosity towards the 186 workers who lost their jobs at Lane Walker Rudkin last week should be taken as a signal to Westpac and the Government that we want more done to support workers who lose their jobs,” says Laila Harré, ... More >>
Lane Walker Rudkin Redundancies A Tragedy
Friday, 15 May 2009, 12:26 pm | National Distribution Union
“The 186 redundancies announced by the receivers of textile and apparel maker Lane Walker Rudkin (LWR) Ltd over the last 24 hours is an absolute tragedy for the workers concerned and a new low point of business irresponsibility in New Zealand,” says ... More >>
Banks need to open books - now!
Thursday, 30 April 2009, 11:45 am | Finsec
“The Reserve Bank’s 50 basis point reduction in the OCR today should be a small cause for joy but will customers get to share that joy?” asked Andrew Casidy, General Secretary of the bank workers’ union Finsec. There has been increasing concern ... More >>
ANZ profits during recession and cuts jobs
Wednesday, 29 April 2009, 1:19 pm | Finsec
Bank workers union Finsec says that ANZ National bank’s underlying profit increase of 24% announced today shows they are very profitable during the recession and it is time for the government to step in and demand concessions from the bank on behalf ... More >>
NDU Release: LWR - The Worst Nightmare
Wednesday, 29 April 2009, 9:37 am | National Distribution Union
The National Distribution Union says poor management at Lane Walker Rudkin should not be allowed to cost 500 workers their living and the country their skills. “This is our worst nightmare” says Maxine Gay, Secretary of the Clothing and Textiles ... More >>
Big BNZ profit enough to avoid cuts
Tuesday, 28 April 2009, 4:51 pm | Finsec
Bank workers union Finsec says the BNZ’s announcement of a half year profit of $400 million shows it is doing very well despite the current environment and shows that the bank should not proceed with plans to cut jobs. The BNZ has cut over 40 ... More >>
Big profits mean banks could do more for economy
Thursday, 23 April 2009, 4:07 pm | Finsec
Finance sector union Finsec says that New Zealand banks are still making excellent profits and can and should be doing more to help the local economy. Finsec says the banks are avoiding participation in economic recovery initiatives or making commitments ... More >>
Pacific Brands announces first redundancies
Wednesday, 22 April 2009, 9:24 am | National Distribution Union
“Australian apparel company Pacific Brands announced its first redundancies in Palmerston North, New Zealand, yesterday as part of its decision to exist from New Zealand manufacture,” says Robert Reid, President of the National Distribution ... More >>
Pacific Brands announces first redundancies
Monday, 20 April 2009, 4:50 pm | National Distribution Union
“Australian apparel company Pacific Brands announced its first redundancies in Palmerston North today as part of its decision to exist from New Zealand manufacture,” says Robert Reid, President of the National Distribution Union, which represents ... More >>
Union Calls for Extension of Nine Day Fortnight
Monday, 20 April 2009, 2:27 pm | National Distribution Union
The National Distribution Union (NDU) says the Government’s nine day fortnight scheme has been a real success at saving jobs and should be expanded. Figures released today by Social Development and Employment Minister Paula Bennett showed 117 jobs ... More >>
Keeping staff in work – GOOD, Freezing wages - BAD
Friday, 17 April 2009, 3:43 pm | Finsec
The bank workers union Finsec says the ASB bank’s goal to avoid job cuts is a positive step in the right direction, but says wage freezes for middle income earners don’t have be part of the package given how profitable the bank is. ASB announced a suite ... More >>
Who’s taking away our Easter?
Thursday, 9 April 2009, 10:09 am | National Distribution Union
On the eve of Easter, the union for retail workers is hoping that this year won’t be the last one that shop workers can enjoy with their families and friends. More >>
Make mortgage holiday condition of bank guarantees
Monday, 6 April 2009, 10:19 am | finsec
Finance workers’ union Finsec describes the Australian year long mortgage holiday as a win-win deal that the Aussie banks should also be offering their Kiwi customers. “The mortgage holiday gives workers who have been made redundant a real breather ... More >>
Union Agrees Banks should drop profit expectations
Thursday, 2 April 2009, 5:35 pm | finsec
Finance workers’ union Finsec is backing Finance Minister Bill English’s warning that banks should adjust their profit expectations during the recession, and says the government can step in to require banks to give back during hard times. “It ... More >>
Textile layoffs/short weeks confirmed
Friday, 27 March 2009, 10:42 am | National Distribution Union
“The downturn in the textile industry continues to bite with closures, redundancies and short weeks confirmed in three major companies,” says Robert Reid, President of New Zealand’s textile union, the National Distribution Union (NDU). “Yesterday ... More >>
protect jobs - put conditions on bank guarantee
Wednesday, 25 March 2009, 11:16 am | Finsec
Finance workers are saying the government can step in and protect jobs in the finance industry by making the retention of current staff numbers a condition of its retail deposit and wholesale borrowing guarantee schemes. Finsec, the finance workers union, ... More >>
NAB / BNZ’s plan to cut dividends - not jobs
Thursday, 12 March 2009, 12:44 pm | Finsec
Bank workers’ union Finsec says that BNZ parent company NAB’s decision to cut its forthcoming half year dividend by 25% is a more socially response to the recession. “We have already lost too many jobs in the banking sector to restructuring and ... More >>
Another day, another closure: Pacific Brand’s Gone
Wednesday, 4 March 2009, 2:22 pm | National Distribution Union
“New Zealanders must join the chorus of opposition from across the Tasman at the decision of Pacific Brands to cease its manufacturing in Australia and New Zealand and move operations to China and other low waged countries,” says Robert Reid, ... More >>
