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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 57]
ANZ National needs to prove its commitment to NZ
Friday, 18 April 2008, 1:04 pm | Finsec
Bank workers union Finsec is calling on ANZ National to put its money where its mouth is and make a series of broad commitments to staff, customers and communities affected by its proposal to offshore up to 500 jobs to Bangalore, India. More >>
ANZ National proposal up to 500 Kiwi jobs to India
Thursday, 17 April 2008, 4:21 pm | Finsec
Bank workers’ union Finsec says that today’s announcement by ANZ National proposing to send up to 500 New Zealand jobs to Bangalore puts increasing their billion dollar profits ahead of their Kiwi customers and staff. More >>
NZ - China “Free” Trade Agreement improvement
Monday, 7 April 2008, 4:42 pm | National Distribution Union
Textile Union says NZ - China “Free” Trade Agreement improvement on current Government policy for sector More >>
FTA improvement on current Govt textile policy
Monday, 7 April 2008, 4:40 pm | National Distribution Union
The gradually reducing tariff reduction regime for textiles, clothing and footwear in the NZ – China FTA is a welcome departure from the extremist free trade policies of the past,” said Robert Reid, President of the National Distribution Union. More >>
Trading law breakers should not profit
Thursday, 20 March 2008, 9:32 am | National Distribution Union
The small minority of retailers who open in breach of shop trading laws on Good Friday and Easter Sunday should be prosecuted and should lose the value of their trade on the day, says the union for retail workers. More >>
Bunnings U-Turn – Shops to Close Easter Sunday
Monday, 10 March 2008, 9:51 am | National Distribution Union
A u-turn by Bunnings means its giant warehouses will not be open on Easter Sunday, says the Bunnings workers’ union, the National Distribution Union. More >>
Two more "Feltex" plants to close
Friday, 7 March 2008, 4:39 pm | National Distribution Union
"Workers, families and the two small communities of Foxton and Feilding will be devastated by today's announcement that their former-Feltex plants, now owned by Godfrey Hirst, are being closed," said Robert Reid, President of the National ... More >>
ANZ National needs to justify interest rate rises
Thursday, 28 February 2008, 10:41 am | Finsec
The banks workers union Finsec is calling on ANZ National bank to provide better justifications for yesterday’s decision to raise mortgage interest rates. ANZ National blames the rise in interest rates on the cost and availability of international credit ... More >>
Ambulance unions support Coroner, but more needed
Friday, 22 February 2008, 9:41 am | National Distribution Union
The National Distribution Union (NDU) through its membership of the Federation of Ambulance Unions (FAOUNZ) supports the Wellington Coroner’s recommendation that a body be established to develop nationally consistent clinical standards for Paramedics, ... More >>
NDU Open Letter Re Bunnings
Thursday, 21 February 2008, 2:26 pm | National Distribution Union
Bunnings tell us that “lowest prices are just the beginning”, but it seems that paying the lowest wages are not far behind. More >>
Bunnings workers stop work over Aussie pay gap
Thursday, 21 February 2008, 11:07 am | National Distribution Union
Bunnings Warehouse workers around the country will stop work for two hours at 12 noon today over a $6 an hour starting rate pay gap with their Australian co-workers, says the National Distribution Union. (1) More >>
Bank workers call for greater regulation
Tuesday, 19 February 2008, 10:15 am | Finsec
Bank workers’ union Finsec is kick starting its Better Banks industry campaign for 2008 with a series of union meetings around the country and a call for legislation to provide greater public control over the way the finance sector operate in New ... More >>
New stats show collective bargaining delivers
Tuesday, 5 February 2008, 4:48 pm | Finsec
Bank workers’ union Finsec is describing the 6.3 percent average pay increase for the finance and insurance sector over the last year as proof of the effectiveness of collective bargaining and union campaigning. The Labour Cost Index statistics ... More >>
Westport Postie Plus warehouse to close
Wednesday, 30 January 2008, 11:10 am | National Distribution Union
Workers will be “gutted” by the Postie Plus Group Limited’s decision to close its Westport distribution centre, says the National Distribution Union. More >>
Decision day for small town fighting to keep jobs
Friday, 25 January 2008, 9:22 am | National Distribution Union
Thirty-three workers in Westport are bracing themselves for a final decision today which will determine the fate of the Postie Plus Group distribution warehouse where they work, says the National Distribution Union. More >>
Bunnings Action At Naenae - Pre-Christmas Walkout
Sunday, 23 December 2007, 4:17 pm | National Distribution Union
Another pre-Christmas walkout by Bunnings staff. Eight Bunnings workers joined an equal number of National Distribution Union supporters on a noisy picket at the two entrances to the Bunnings store. More >>
Aussie banks profits add to NZ account deficit
Thursday, 20 December 2007, 3:33 pm | Finsec
Current account figures announced today throws the spotlight on the behaviour of Australian owned banks operating in New Zealand says Finsec, the finance workers union. More >>
Newtown Bunnings Action 19 December
Wednesday, 19 December 2007, 2:32 pm | National Distribution Union
A dozen Bunnings workers held a lightening strike and picket at the company’s Newtown store for one hour from 11.00 am Wednesday 19 December. They are members of the National Distribution Union (NDU). More >>
Expect industrial campaign for a $15 minimum wage
Wednesday, 19 December 2007, 10:36 am | National Distribution Union
Low paying employers can expect an industrial campaign for a $15 minimum wage rate in collective agreements from next year, says the National Distribution Union. More >>
Demand Bank Protection Against Online Fraud
Tuesday, 18 December 2007, 3:37 pm | Finsec
"Customers can go to the CoverCustomers campaign website and send an email to the CEO of their bank requesting that their bank take responsibility for their online banking security," said Campbell More >>
