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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 54]
Bus Drivers Locked Out for Offering Free Rides
Friday, 21 November 2008, 9:01 am | National Distribution Union
Hamilton bus drivers employed by Go Bus have been locked out for planning to offer passengers free fares. More >>
Urgent Govt Action Needed on Wood Industry Jobs
Tuesday, 18 November 2008, 10:00 am | National Distribution Union
The new Government must urgently address job losses in the wood industry says the National Distribution Union. More >>
Farmers Workers to Demonstrate in Wellington
Thursday, 6 November 2008, 5:13 pm | National Distribution Union
Workers from the Lower Hutt and Wellington Farmers stores will demonstrate for a better pay deal in Cuba Mall tomorrow. More >>
Workers call for a watchdog role in finance sector
Tuesday, 4 November 2008, 10:19 am | finsec
Finance workers should have a direct watchdog role and be the eyes and ears of any new regulation developed to govern the industry, say their union Finsec. More >>
John Key too soft on banks
Friday, 31 October 2008, 3:58 pm | Finsec
Bank workers’ union Finsec says John Key is naïve if he thinks a sufficient quid pro quo for a wholesale deposit scheme is asking the Australian owned banks to be nice to their customers. More >>
L’Oreal orders staff not to speak to media
Friday, 31 October 2008, 12:04 pm | National Distribution Union
Brand conscious international beauty company L’Oreal has ordered staff not to speak to the media about a strike today saying the media is “persistent”, “persuasive” and “seducing”. More >>
Relaxing Rules for Redundant Workers A Relief
Friday, 31 October 2008, 9:38 am | National Distribution Union
The National Distribution Union says Labour's plans to give redundant workers immediate access to the unemployment benefit without a spousal income test is a "must have" as the country heads towards hard times. More >>
Westpac profit good news for customers and staff
Thursday, 30 October 2008, 3:30 pm | Finsec
Bank workers’ union Finsec says that the Westpac New Zealand announcement that profits are up 6% is proof that banks can do well in this country without resorting to offshoring or cutting staff numbers, and that the banks should now make sure that ... More >>
We'll be looking for detail from Labour says Union
Monday, 27 October 2008, 5:07 pm | National Distribution Union
The National Distribution Union says it will want a place at the table when the detail of Labour's industrial relations policy is hammered out after the election. More >>
ANZ mega profit puts shareholders before kiwis
Thursday, 23 October 2008, 3:35 pm | Finsec
Bank workers’ union Finsec says ANZ National’s billion dollar plus profit announced today is excessive in the current economic environment and favours shareholders over customers, staff and the local economy. More >>
BNZ profit shows lending regulation needed
Wednesday, 22 October 2008, 12:49 pm | finsec
Finsec, the finance workers union, is calling on the government to impose regulation to promote ethical lending in exchange for wholesale deposit guarantees in light of the BNZ's $52 million profit increase announced yesterday. More >>
Labour's Low Pay Let Down
Tuesday, 14 October 2008, 2:24 pm | National Distribution Union
"A low pay let down" is how the National Distribution Union is describing Michael Cullen's announcement that Labour will only commit to raise minimum wages in line with CPI or average increases. More >>
First supermarket strike in 14 years
Sunday, 12 October 2008, 12:12 am | National Distribution Union
Glen Innes Pak 'n Save checkout operators will strike at 12 o'clock today, 182 Apirana Ave Glen Innes. More >>
Strikes put produce supplies under pressure
Saturday, 11 October 2008, 1:48 pm | National Distribution Union
Workers at Turners and Growers walked off the job this morning and will continue a series of lightening strikes until they get a reasonable pay offer. More >>
Union Fears for Warehouse Workers' Future
Thursday, 9 October 2008, 4:13 pm | National Distribution Union
The National Distribution Union says the Warehouse decision to discontinue its supermarket operation in its three Extra stores from November holds risks for the company's employees. More >>
What about the Battlers?
Wednesday, 8 October 2008, 5:04 pm | National Distribution Union
The real strugglers have been left out in the cold by Nationals tax cuts says the National Distribution Union. More >>
Farmers Birthday Offer an Insult to Workers
Monday, 6 October 2008, 10:08 am | National Distribution Union
Workers at Farmers stores are planning a range of protest activities tomorrow. The iconic Kiwi chain is celebrating its 100th year of operation with a paltry twenty cents an hour pay offer for two thirds of its staff. More >>
Customers against ANZ staff cuts
Sunday, 5 October 2008, 2:09 pm | Finsec
ANZ customers oppose reductions in branch staffing numbers according to polling undertaken by bank workers union Finsec. ANZ recently announced a review of its branch network and have called for voluntary redundancies from staff. More >>
Paramedics Protest at Failing Service
Tuesday, 30 September 2008, 2:41 pm | National Distribution Union
Wairarapa paramedics will be protesting against the local DHB outside the Masterton ambulance station on Wednesday, October 1. More >>
Support for Locked-Out Bus Drivers
Friday, 26 September 2008, 5:25 pm | National Distribution Union
The Auckland Bus Drivers Council has called an urgent meeting to look at ways of supporting bus drivers locked out by Infratil (NZ Bus). More >>
