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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 53]
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 >>
Clothing Workers Looking for Action from Summit
Thursday, 26 February 2009, 11:04 am | National Distribution Union
Unions want the job summit to fix government procurement processes that have handed an Australian multinational the power to dress local troops in Chinese made uniforms. More >>
Time for Banks to Drop Credit Card Interest Rates
Tuesday, 24 February 2009, 10:07 am | Finsec
Finance sector union Finsec is calling on banks to make significant cuts to credit card interest rates, saying the margins on this form of lending appear to have grown by more than 200% in the last year. More >>
Police Spying on Unions a Waste of Resources
Friday, 20 February 2009, 2:41 pm | National Distribution Union
The police are abusing their powers by spying on legitimate union activities says the National Distribution Union. More >>
BNZ’s massive profit can provide a stimulus to NZ
Thursday, 19 February 2009, 11:13 am | Finsec
The bank workers’ union Finsec is calling on the BNZ to use part of its massive profit for the first three months of the financial year as a stimulus to the New Zealand economy through investment in its staff and customers. More >>
ANZ National sheds 100 jobs this week
Friday, 30 January 2009, 9:45 am | Finsec
ANZ National has announced nearly 100 job cuts this week, most of which are the latest in the bank’s move to cut costs by offshoring work to Bangalore. Bank workers union Finsec says the bank has also backed away from prior public commitments to provide ... More >>
Union wants answers from police
Friday, 19 December 2008, 12:31 pm | National Distribution Union
The National Distribution Union has lodged an Official Information Act request for information the police hold on it. More >>
Discrimination Against Beneficiaries Kids Must End
Friday, 19 December 2008, 10:11 am | National Distribution Union
The Government should act immediately to end discrimination against the children of people on income related benefits says the National Distribution Union. More >>
Bank seeks exemption to employ non-residents
Thursday, 18 December 2008, 12:44 pm | Finsec
Bank workers’ union Finsec is calling on the Department of Labour to reject ANZ National bank’s application for an exemption that would allow it to streamline the recruitment of non-resident workers for certain roles. Finsec says the bank should ... More >>
Strike Action at Giant Supermarket
Thursday, 18 December 2008, 9:47 am | National Distribution Union
Rolling strikes will begin at the largest supermarket in the Southern Hemisphere at 12 noon today. More >>
BNZ closes Invercargill branch
Tuesday, 16 December 2008, 4:50 pm | Finsec
Banks workers union Finsec says today’s confirmation by the BNZ that it will close its Dee St branch in Invercargill at the end of the week highlights the bank’s prioritisation of big profits over loyalty and service to local communities. More >>
BNZ set to close branch in Invercargill
Friday, 12 December 2008, 9:57 am | Finsec
The BNZ is proposing to close its Dee Street branch in Invercargill; a move that bank workers’ union Finsec says is unnecessary and will result in decreased customer service. More >>
Bank workers back Bollard’s message to banks
Thursday, 11 December 2008, 11:09 am | Finsec
Bank workers’ union Finsec is supporting Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard’s call to banks, to “share the pain” and be part of the solution to the current economic situation. More >>
Union Questions Warehouse Layoffs
Wednesday, 10 December 2008, 5:39 pm | National Distribution Union
The NDU says The Warehouse has let its workforce down by not consulting them before closing its Cellars business. More >>
Give at least 90 days consultation on 90 day bill
Tuesday, 9 December 2008, 12:00 pm | Finsec
Bank workers’ union Finsec is calling on the National government to allow the public at least 90 days of consultation on their bill which proposes to remove many fundamental legal rights during a worker’s first 90 days of employment. More >>
Sweatshop Wages at Rembrandt Suits
Friday, 5 December 2008, 5:08 pm | National Distribution Union
Workers at Wellington’s Rembrandt Suits are beginning a series of pickets outside retail outlets selling the expensive suits they make. The first will be held at Kirkcaldie and Stains on Lambton Quay at 11am tomorrow. More >>
Farmers Urged not to Discount Wages
Wednesday, 3 December 2008, 5:27 pm | National Distribution Union
Shoppers at Farmers Cuba Mall store in Wellington will be leafleted from 11am to 2pm tomorrow as part of an ongoing pay dispute. More >>
